The owners have been sentenced to 12 and 15 weeks in prison, respectively
The owners of nine horses found with severely overgrown hooves and unsanitary conditions were just charged with neglect.
The horses were discovered when the U.K.-based Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) visited Ann Duckitt’s home in Doncaster in May and June 2023. On March 19, 2025, Duckitt, 65, and John Watson, 48, pleaded guilty to welfare offenses.
The charges resulted in a ban on owning equines for 10 years. Duckitt was ordered to 12 weeks in prison, a 12-month suspension, 80 hours of volunteer work and a £400 fine with a £154 surcharge — about $700 total. Watson was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison, a 12-month suspension, 40 hours of volunteer work and a £750 fine with a £154 surcharge (roughly $1,150).
“The equine vet who examined [the horses] reported that all nine had overgrown hooves, some so severe that hooves were curling under or over the foot, making them lame,” Lynsey Harris, chief inspector for the RSPCA’s South Yorkshire inspectorate group, told Horse & Hound. “In her opinion, most had never in their lives been seen by a farrier,” she continued, describing the horses as “severely neglected” to the outlet.
The terrible living conditions included a two-foot pile of feces and old straw for “bedding.” This resulted in thrush, infections and maggots in many of the horses’ feet.
“A suspected lack of dental care had led to some of the animals having severely sharp teeth and ulcerated mouths, and infestations of mites were making them itch,” Harris said.
In the end, two horses had to be euthanized because of their extreme condition.
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“Most owners are usually happy and willing to work with us, actioning our recommendations to improve the lives of their ponies,” said World Horse Welfare field officer Sarah Tucker. Her organization had visited with the equine owners for “several years” hoping to help improve the living conditions.
“But on this occasion, the advice had gone unheeded to the point some of the ponies were actually suffering,” she added. “Unfortunately, the only outcome to this case was to assist in removing the ponies alongside the police and RSPCA.”
At the end of the day, the horses’ care is the owners’ legal responsibility.
“Sadly, many of these horses suffered because of their owners,” Tucker said. “I implore owners to be realistic about the care they can provide, both physically and financially for any animal in their care. If they are unable to meet their needs, they need to take action, rather than leave them to suffer.”
