A 62-year-old horse breeder and farmer has been banned from keeping equines for 15 years after the RSPCA found a neglected pony lying in her own faeces and blood – and another that was gravely malnourished.
Trevor Rand, director and owner of Little Fairlee Farm in Newport, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday (20th October), where he was sentenced for 4 charges relating to the neglect of 2 ponies in his care.
Rand previously pleaded guilty to neglect, where it was said that he failed to adequately investigate and address the poor body condition of his 2-year-old mare called Tiktok.
He also pleaded guilty to 3 charges relating to his 3-year-old mare called Twisty, where it was said the defendant failed to adequately investigate and address the poor body condition of the horse, as well as failing to protect the horse from pain, suffering, injury and disease by providing inadequate and ineffective treatment for rain scald and mud fever. He also admitted to failing to employ professional veterinary care for Twisty’s deformities to her front legs and swelling in her hind legs, therefore failing to protect her from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
After previously denying the charges, Rand changed his plea to guilty on all 4 counts on the day of trial.
This week the court heard from RSPCA solicitor Sarah Wheadon that between 23rd July 2024 and 25th October 2024, Rand neglected 2-year-old TikTok, who was found by the RSPCA lying in her stall where there was faecal matter and splats of blood covering the hay bed.
It was said that when the RSPCA attended the farm, TikTok was unable to stand due to her injuries.
The RSPCA has since revealed that concerns about the welfare of Rand’s horses were initially raised by a vet and the fire and rescue service, who had visited the property twice in the space of just 10 days.
On 24th October 2024, the farm owner’s daughter contacted a vet after becoming concerned about TikTok, who was found lying in her stable, too weak to stand.
Firefighters were called to assist, but despite pain relief and multiple attempts to encourage the young horse to stand, she was unable to bear her own weight. The decision was subsequently made to euthanise TikTok to prevent any further suffering.
As well as this, between 29th July 2024 and 31st October 2024, Rand neglected Twisty, a chestnut brown mare who was found to also be extremely malnourished and in a great deal of pain.
Mrs Wheadon told the Magistrates that when Twisty was found, her eyes were sunken, her ribs were visible, and she had scabby skin along with lice crawling over her body.
It was later found when the RSPCA returned to the farm with a vet and police officer that the pony was suffering from rain scald and mud fever and had deformed front legs alongside swollen hind legs.
The animal charity has confirmed that on 30th October 2024, RSPCA officers and a specialist equine vet attended the farm alongside Police, who used their powers to enter the property.
Twisty was brought out of her stable into the central walkway for examination, where her extremely poor condition immediately became apparent.
RSPCA Inspector Hannah Nixon, who investigated the case, said:
“I was shocked by Twisty’s extremely poor condition. Every rib was clearly visible, and she had no muscle mass in her hindquarters, she was skeletal in appearance.
“She had sunken pockets above her eyes and her front legs appeared swollen and were unnaturally positioned and appeared visibly deformed. Her coat was dirty and rough, particularly along her back, where scabby skin peeled away in tufts along with her coat.”
The specialist vet certified that Twisty was suffering under Section 18(5) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with the implications of the certification explained to Rand.
A veterinary report submitted to the court revealed that Twisty had a body condition score of just 0.5 out of 5, with 0 being the lowest possible score.
The vet said:
“On exam, the mare had a very poor body condition score of just 0.5/5 (0 being the lowest). Her demeanour was quiet but responsive. There was no water in her stable but she did have hay and a small amount of straw bedding.
“On brief inspection of her mouth she was found to have several retained incisor caps. Her coat was in very poor condition – there were severe widespread rain scald scabs and also evidence of lice.
“She had marked angular limb deformities of both forelimbs. Both hind limbs were filled from fetlocks to hocks. Her feet were overgrown and worn very unevenly, likely due to aforementioned limb deformities and lack of routine trimming.”
The vet also reported that Rand had indicated Twisty had not received routine dental treatment, been microchipped or issued with a passport.
The report continued:
“The condition of this horse was so poor that it would be very clear even to someone with no prior equine knowledge. This state of emaciation, in my opinion, would have taken several months of inadequate nutrition.”
Twisty, along with 2 other horses named Dave and Reggie, were taken into possession by Police and placed into the care of the RSPCA.
During yesterday’s hearing, Rand’s cruel past was uncovered, where it was said that in 2009 he was disqualified from keeping Bovines for 10 years after he failed to comply with a section of the law relating to keeping cattle.
Sarah Wheadon labelled Rand a high-risk reoffender due to the fact that he failed to comply with the investigation that took place on his farm. She recommended a lifetime disqualification from keeping animals.
When allowed to address the Magistrates, Rand said:
“You do what you got to do, and I’ll abide by the law.”
The breeder admitted that he has 6 horses on the farm which are still under his care, saying:
“I don’t want to ill-treat anything; I love my animals.
“I had mental health issues, my mum died, I was alone.”
Trevor Rand was sentenced to an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, as well as an 18-month probation requirement. He was ordered to pay £1070.42 to the RSPCA and £954 to the Isle of Wight Combined Courts.
He was also banned from keeping equines for 15 years and made subject to a 28-day seizure notice for his remaining 6 horses.
Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Hannah Nixon added:
“Owning an animal is a privilege, and ensuring they have appropriate veterinary care and a good diet, are a key part of the responsibility we have towards animals in our care.
“Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment when they need it.”
