Rhuallt man fined after overgrown donkey hooves cause suffering

A Denbighshire man has been fined, after allowing the condition of the hooves of two donkeys to get so bad that both animals suffered.

Michael Stephen Walsh, 64 from Rhuallt, changed his earlier plea – ultimately admitting the Animal Welfare Act offence, and was sentenced at Mold Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The RSPCA said it was notified after members of the public saw the male donkeys with severely overgrown hooves, causing them difficulty to walk.

Veterinary examination discovered the hooves were so bad that the donkeys were suffering.

Walsh was fined £650 for his actions, and ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £50 victim surcharge. He agreed he would sign the animals into the care of the RSPCA.

Another individual accepted a caution for their involvement in the poor care of the donkeys.

RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton said: “The failure to provide adequate care for these donkeys’ overgrown hooves caused them to suffer.

“It is really sad how such basic action could have prevented this. A simple phone call to a farrier could have stopped these poor donkeys suffering.

“Fortunately, both donkeys will come into the care of the RSPCA and have a second chance of happiness. But this case reminds us how important proper appropriate care of hooves is for donkeys, and other equines.”