A man who tied up a pony and dragged it behind a moving vehicle has been sentenced after admitting the method was used to 'break in ponies'. Geoffrey Williams, of Aberbran, Brecon, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act for failing to meet the needs of a pony that suffered pain, suffering, and injury due to an 'unacceptable and inappropriate method' of handling.
Distressing Footage
Distressing footage captured the moment the black and white pony was dragged behind a vehicle as it moved down a sloped field on April 2 last year. The RSPCA obtained three video clips showing the abuse. In mitigation, Williams claimed it was a method he had used for years to 'break in ponies', but acknowledged that training methods had evolved and stated he had not repeated the behaviour.
Court Proceedings
At Merthyr Magistrates' Court, RSPCA staff presented the footage. Animal rescue officer Rohan Barker, who visited Williams and showed him the clip, said: 'He confirmed that it was him in the video and explained that the method he was using was a method he had used for years to break in ponies.' A vet from another charity described the clips showing a young cob pony attached by a headcollar via a rope to the back of a quad or gator-type vehicle moving down a slope. The vet noted three separate incidents in the videos.
Vet's Assessment
The vet stated the pony likely suffered physical harm and lifelong fear of handling. Their written statement read: 'Everything exhibited in the videos indicates that the driver of the quad vehicle exposed the pony to a series of harmful physical and mental experiences that caused distress, fear, and risk of physical injury and lasting harm. Fearful learning experiences are generally not erasable, and therefore the pony has in all probability been left with not only a likely physical legacy of harm from the experiences seen in the videos but also a lifelong fear of handling that could be triggered by exposure to any number of stimuli (like another similar vehicle) in the presence of an unsuspecting future owner or trainer.'
Sentencing
Williams was sentenced on Wednesday, May 6, and ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, £400 in costs, and a £400 victim surcharge. Following the sentencing, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: 'The RSPCA believes that all animals should be trained using kind, ethical, and science-based methods by appropriately qualified and regulated professionals. Equines need calm, consistent, and sympathetic handling by competent people. A consistent gentle approach should be used, and training should be based on a reward-focused system.' Documents presented at court did not state whether the pony had been seized or rehomed.
