A 64-YEAR-OLD woman from Caldicot has been handed a 10-year ban from owning animals after cruelty to horses and a dog.

Kathleen Davidson of Newport Road was also ordered to pay £1,713 in fines and costs after Cwmbran magistrates heard RSPCA inspectors made several visits to a site in Magor, and repeatedly found a group of horses locked in a barn without food and water, while others were loose beside a dangerous river where animals had reportedly drowned.

After 11 horses, two of them suffering malnutrition, were removed, the RSPCA were also alerted to the poor condition of a black terrier type dog named Millie at Davidson’s Caldicot home, who was thin, had a skin condition and a urine infection.

Magistrates heard that after the initial visit, inspectors had issued multiple warning notices about caring properly for the animals.

But despite these warnings and offers of help and guidance, the situation did not improve and at the end of January they attended with a vet, who ordered the removal of the horses.

A chestnut mare called Cassie was found to be very skinny with arthritis and chesnut gelding Zorro was found to be thin and had an infected area around his genitals.

A few days later a call came into the animal welfare charity reporting concerns of an undernourished dog at the defendant’s home.

Inspector Emma Smith said: “This was a classic example of someone who had taken on too much, and did not have the time or resources to care for their animals properly.

“It is frustrating as she was given lots of opportunities to turn things around and to make things right and we offered our assistance to help her.

“It is just a very sad situation, but there is no excuse for not caring for your animals properly.”

The 11 horses and Millie are now in RSPCA care and doing well, she added. They will be placed into the rehoming system so they can find homes.

Magistrates fined Davidson £832 along with a £41 victim surcharge and she was ordered to pay another £840 in costs.

She admitted failing to appropriately care for 11 horses, by not providing a suitable environment and diet including fresh drinking water, and causing unnecessary suffering to two of the horses and a dog by failing to address the cause of their poor body condition, weight loss and ailments

n Police are to report a woman to the RSPCA after she left her dog locked in a baking hot car when she went to swim at Lydney’s outdoor Bathhurst Pool.

A A post on the Glos Police Specials Twitter feed on Sunday, July 8, said: “Female at Bathurst Pool given very strong words of advice after leaving her dog in the car while she went to cool down in the pool.

“Female will be reported to RSPCA. Please don’t leave your dog in your car in this weather.”