A councillor found guilty of keeping a family of three Shetland ponies “literally wading in faeces” has been banned from keeping animals for life after losing an appeal.
Amanda Ann Munro, 55, kept the four animals, including a goat, in “disgusting” conditions and was convicted of neglect following a trial last year.
But this week she had an appeal quashed and had her five-year ban from owning, keeping, dealing or transporting equines or goats extended to life.
Munro, a former parish councillor for Scholes on Barwick in Elmet and Scholes Parish Council, was found guilty of unnecessary suffering to three Shetland ponies and failing to ensure their needs were met.
She was also found guilty of failing to ensure the needs of a goat were adequately met under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Bradford Crown Court, West Yorks., heard Munro neglected the animals between November and December 2015 – the same time she was a parish councillor.
She was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from owning, keeping, dealing or transporting equines or goats for at least five years.
RSPCA inspector Carol Neale said: “These ponies – who were mummy, daddy and baby – were all very thin and suffering.
“The conditions they were living in were simply disgusting – they were literally wading in faeces, it was that bad, just a stone’s throw from Munro’s home.”
Munro appeared at Bradford Crown Court for a second time this week as she lost a four-day appeal against her conviction and sentence.
Munro, of Leeds, West Yorks., was subsequently banned from keeping equines and goats for life – with no appeal against the disqualification granted for seven years.
The animals had been removed on veterinary advice in December 2016 and placed in the care of charity World Horse Welfare – where they still remain after making full recoveries.
A further order was made upon the defendant to confiscate a further 10 equines remaining in her care.
World Horse Welfare field officer Sarah Tucker said: “This has been a long drawn out case but I am very happy with the outcome.
“When I attended the location, the three of them were all huddled in a corner looking dull and lethargic.
“This situation could have been easily rectified by providing good quality food and a clean living environment.”
Munro was also given a 12 month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £3,250 costs.
