The shocking moment that a pony was repeatedly whipped by its inept owner in a car park at the supermarket.
Distressing footages shows John Reid, 31, repeatedly hitting the one-year-old pony, called Pebbles, with a plastic pole in a shopping centre car park in Morecambe, Lancashire, while shouting: ‘It’s gotta learn!’
As the terrified animal tries to flee, her owner beats her at least fifteen times in front of shocked shoppers.
According to witnesses, Reid struck the animal with his right arm above his head. He also appeared to hit her several times per minute for several minutes last October 10.
After shocking footage was discovered by the RSPCA, Reid is now banned from owning animals for five year.
He pleaded guilty to two offences against animal welfare and was sentenced by Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.
John Reid (31 years old) repeatedly hit the pony Pebbles with a pole of plastic in Morecambe’s shopping center car park.
The yearling filly has now being looked after by the RSPCA who will now be able to continue her rehabilitation and find her a new home
One was to cause unnecessary pain by beating his horse, a yearling filly, repeatedly, the other was to not meet her needs.
RSPCA Inspector Will Lamping was alerted to the disturbing footage and launched an investigation. Pebbles, a yearling female, was found underweight, with visible ribs and prominent shoulders.
She was living in filthy conditions in the stable where she was housed. The floor was covered with horse feces, and the back was covered in poisonous ivy.
Pebbles didn’t have any clean areas or bedding on which to stand or feed.
Also, she was seen chewing wood from her stable. This is what horses are known to do when they lack adequate nutrition.
One vet was present and submitted a report to court. She stated: “The stable did not have any bedding whatsoever.”
“The floor was soaked in wet and had faeces. A number of plastic bags were mixed into the faeces. Due to the unsanitary conditions, this environment proved unsuitable for horses.
‘There was nowhere clean or dry for the horse to rest in comfort, or to protect it from the cold, hard stone floor’.
Pebbles, the pony that is scared, attempts to run away while her owner beats her.
According to witnesses, Reid was seen hitting the animal hard with his elbow raised high above his head by an observer on October 10.
Pebbles was confiscated by the police and taken to the RSPCA.
Pebbles’ conditions were temporary, and Reid intended to sell her.
Magistrates placed Reid under a five-year ban that he could not terminate after three years. Reid was then sentenced to 10 months in jail, with 12 month suspended.
He was also ordered to pay £200 costs and £128 victim surcharge.
Inspector Lamping declared, after the sentencing hearing: “Reid’s actions resulted in Pebbles. Pain, fear, and both mental and physical suffering.”
“She was young, and she needed to be taught how to teach her instead of being punished in this way.
“Bloking a pony can cause fear and pain and ultimately, it will affect her learning and interaction with other people.
Reid handed Pebbles’ ownership over to RSPCA, who can now continue Reid’s rehabilitation and provide a loving home for her.