AN animal sanctuary manager is dealing with prison for keeping animals in horrendous conditions..
Worcester magistrates heard owls, pets, bunnies and donkeys were amongst the animals kept in confined conditions and not provided ideal drinking water at Little Meadow Animal Rescue.
The signed up charity, owned by Graham Stephens, had actually accepted contributions from the general public to care for the rescue animals, however Stephens was jailed and charged after the real scary of what was truly going on at the Tenbury Wells sanctuary was lastly exposed..
Stephens confessed 6 charges of triggering unneeded suffering to a safeguarded animal and 2 charges of stopping working the responsibility of an individual accountable for an animal to guarantee well-being when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, (November 18)..
The court heard that unneeded suffering was triggered to 4 grey donkeys, an alpaca, a Chinese Crested dog, 2 bunnies, a guinea pig, a grey squirrel and 4 tawny owls at the Stoke Bliss-based sanctuary in between January 17 and March 17 this year.
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The mistreatment to the animals consisted of stopping working to supply oral treatment, stopping working to resolve heavy lice problem, stopping working to supply treatment for bacterial infection, stopping working to supply veterinary treatment for the eye condition and oral illness and failure to supply drinking water..
The animals were kept in unclean, faeces-covered cages with animals kept close to predators when they must have been kept apart.
Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Lynda Myer stated cautions had actually been provided to Stephens in 2020 about the mistreatment of pets however less than 2 years later on there had actually been “numerous problems” from the general public to the cops about conditions at the sanctuary.
OWNER: Graham Stephens, owner of Little Meadow Animal Rescue, leaving Worcester Magistrates Court ( Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)
Cops, accompanied by the RSCPA, acted upon a warrant and went to the sanctuary, resulting in the 62-year-old’s arrest.
” The conditions were terrible,” the district attorney stated..
” There were indications considerable tension was triggered to the animals residing in a little location.
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Sanctuary owner ‘might have mistreated trust by misusing public’s charitable contributions’.
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” There was a possible breach of trust – he was delegated with cash from the general public to care for these animals.”.
As magistrates spoken with the district attorney Stephens sat with his head in his hands.
Sarah Brady, safeguarding, stated Stephens, of Broad Street, Bromyard, had actually been experiencing anxiety and tension while attempting to run the charity..
” He has actually run the charity for 12 years,” Mrs Brady stated.
” In 2021 he needs to have looked for help..
” He didn’t due to the fact that of what was going on in his individual life..
” He is sorry for that now.”.
The lawyer included it was not a case where the offender had actually intentionally maltreated animals..
After a brief consideration chairman of the magistrates’ bench, Simon Freebairn, stated they had actually chosen magistrates’ powers sufficed for the case not to be sent out to the greater court for sentence..
Purchasing a pre-sentence report he cautioned Stephens, custody was a possibility in his case.
Stephens, who was provided genuine bail, was informed to go back to the court on Friday, December 9, for sentencing.
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