Seven donkeys get fresh starts as owner is jailed for eight months

Donkeys Teddy, Charles, Isla, Barbie, Heather, Isabelle and Ruby were all living with a multitude of veterinary issues in a paddock outside a static home.

Inside the static home, more than 30 animals – including dogs, rabbits and a pheasant – were crammed into one room, some in cages and others wandering loose.

Owner Graham Stephens, 63, of Broad Street, Bromyard, Hereford was sentenced to eight months in prison at Worcester Magistrates’ Court in December 2022.

He was also handed a lifetime disqualification order for all animals after pleading guilty to eight offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

The court heard in mitigation that Stephens set up the Little Meadow Animal Rescue charity in 2010 – and had good intentions with all money raised going towards the animals.

However he became out of his depth and experienced some difficult personal circumstances.

An appeal against the sentence was lodged with an application of bail granted. However, it was later withdrawn following the conclusion of a hearing at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday 10 October this year.

The sentence imposed from December 2022 has now remained, with an additional £750 costs included with the sentence.

The case related to a total of 44 animals – 35 of these were found in the static home in one functioning room. These included 24 dogs, two rabbits, one guinea pig, four tawny owls (two in a parrot cage and two in pet carriers on the sink), one little owl in a hamster cage, one pheasant (released), one budgie and one squirrel in a small chinchilla cage.

Teddy, Charles, Isla, Barbie, Heather, Isabelle and Ruby shared the paddock area with two alpacas.

The offences were as follows: (full wording below)

• unnecessary suffering to three grey female donkeys by one or a combination of failing to provide appropriate farriery, failing to provide dental treatment, failing to address the heavy lice infestation.
• unnecessary suffering to a grey female donkey by one or a combination of failing to provide appropriate farriery, failing to provide treatment for bacterial infection, failing to address the heavy lice infestation.
• unnecessary suffering to a white female Chinese crested dog by failing to provide veterinary treatment for the eye condition and dental disease.
• unnecessary suffering to two rabbits and a guinea pig, by confining the said animals together in a filthy, faeces covered cage of insufficient size without adequate welfare provisions.
• unnecessary suffering to a grey squirrel by confining the animal in a dirty cage of insufficient size with no ability for the animal to exhibit normal behaviour patterns and/or by keeping the cage in a close proximity to dogs.
• unnecessary suffering to four tawny owls and a little owl, by confining the animals in filthy cages of insufficient size and in close proximity to dogs and without the provision for the basic welfare needs of the animals.
• That he did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure the needs of two grey male donkeys and a brown male alpaca. A third animal – a donkey – was also added to this offence.
• That he did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of 35 animals namely 24 dogs, two rabbits, one guinea pig, four tawny owls, one little owl, one pheasant, one budgie and one grey squirrel, for which you were responsible were met to the extent required by good practice.

On 17 March 2022 a warrant was executed by West Mercia Police at Little Meadow Animal Rescue, Stoke Bliss, near Tenbury Wells, due to repeated reports of neglect of animals.

RSPCA Acting Chief Inspector Thea Kerrison and RSPCA Inspector Suzi Smith entered the site and in her written statement, presented to the court, Inspector Smith explained that they first came across the seven donkeys.

“Through the double wooden gates was a straw base which was wet but offered a base out of the mud,” she said.

“The seven donkeys were on this and were eating the wet dirty straw, there was no hay or dry forage available, there was little to no grazing available,” she told the court.

“Despite this the donkeys appeared in generally normal to lean body condition. However most of their feet were overgrown to some extent, with some having their feet curl up, this was evident despite the muddy conditions.

“There were two alpacas also present. The ground was wet and muddy in areas, the barn offered a small area for undercover shelter, the base had no clean bedding down.”

Once the donkeys and alpaca were removed inspector Smith later assessed the full environment, where there was “broken barbed wire fencing, broken junk, scrap metal, old vehicles and many hazards”.

Following the appeal hearing, Inspector Smith said: “Thankfully these animals were rescued from these conditions and we’d very much like to thank West Mercia Police, The Donkey Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare for their support and assistance.

“We’d also like to thank The Donkey Sanctuary for taking on the seven donkeys – with two giving birth in their care.

“Animals coming into a rescue or sanctuary do so because they may be already suffering or are likely to, which means it's even more important that these animals are completely catered for and never end up in the same situation again.

“To need rescuing once in life is sad, to need rescuing twice is unacceptable.

“It is very sad that this was a registered charity as there are many others out there doing a fantastic job for animal welfare. If anyone had concerns about a sanctuary we’d advise them to make enquiries and if they have any concerns they can contact The Charity Commission.”

Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, added: “The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to improving the lives of donkeys every day. Our team of Donkey Welfare Advisers work throughout Great Britain to support donkeys most in need. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to provide donkeys, Teddy, Charles, Isla, Barbie, Heather, Isabelle and Ruby with the refuge and care they needed.

“Teddy and Charles came into our care as stallions so were castrated as soon as the vets felt they were well enough. They recovered well and have recently joined our rehoming scheme, starting new lives with a loving family.

“Heather and Isabelle, were found to be pregnant on arrival and have since given birth to healthy foals, called Sue and Harry, respectively. Alongside Isla, Barbie and Ruby, they remain in sanctuary care and while we hope they will be suitable for rehoming in time, their future will always be safe and secure with The Donkey Sanctuary.”

The animals involved in this case in RSPCA care have been rehomed.