A MAN and a woman have been convicted of animal cruelty after a horse was found in such a poor condition in the Forest of Dean it had to be put down.

Former Forest duo Tanya Michelle Taylor, now living in Gloucester, and Jeff Taylor, of Quedgeley, were convicted and ordered to pay fines totalling £1010 and court costs of £800 after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse named Tallie in Wigpool, near Mitcheldean.

They denied the offence, but were convicted after a trial at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court.

In his summing up, the magistrate said: “Tallie could not have been saved by early vet intervention, but it could have reduced her suffering.

“We find you jointly responsible for her care, and jointly responsible for failing to seek treatment for her, which caused her unnecessary suffering.”

The duo were not banned from keping animals as their other two animals were in good condition, and it was deemed a case of incompetence, not deliberate cruelty.

The prosecution was brought by Forest of Dean District Council’s legal team following an investigation, after complaints from the previous owner and witnesses regarding the emaciated condition of Tallie.

Tallie was treated by Three Counties Hospital for multiple health issues in December 2017 but unfortunately had to be euthanised, the court heard.

Councillor Tim Gwilliam, Leader of the Forest Council, said: “There’s never any pleasure to be gained from this or any of the other horrendous cases of animal cruelty and abuse this council has brought forward in recent times.

“I am however proud that by our teams and officers working diligently together, the Forest of Dean District Council is sending out a very clear and blunt message that such cruelty is not acceptable.”

The prosecution was undertaken by officers in the Street Warden Team at the council, assisted by the council’s Counter Fraud Unit.

Members of the public can contact the team with any concerns about animal welfare by email at [email protected]