Man jailed for drowning horse at Appleby

A London man, responsible for the drowning of a horse at Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, has been jailed for 28 days and banned from keeping any animals for five years.

Yesterday, a Carlisle judge told 21-year-old Ian Deer from Tottenham that he had shown "manifest recklessness" when he led the horse into the River Eden on Friday, 8 June 2007, the second day of the annual event.
Carlisle Magistrates Court heard how bystanders watched in horror as Deer forced the horse into deep water where it struggled and drowned. He had bought the horse earlier in the day for £100, intending to sell it at the end of the fair.
Callum Cowx, prosecuting, told the hearing that the lead rope around the animal's head had been negligently tied. The rope had slipped down around the horse's nose and mouth, making it difficult for the horse to breathe.
Geyve Walker, defending, said Deer had acted impulsively and had not been deliberately cruel.
Reckless cruelty will not be tolerated
Deer was arrested on Tuesday, 13 November 2007 by RSPCA inspectors and officers from Cumbria Police following an extensive joint investigation.
He later pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the horse, under section 4(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, before Penrith magistrates.
Yesterday afternoon, District Judge Gerald Chalk who sentenced Deer said: "You took this horse into the water in what must have seemed like an extreme sport. Whilst I accept this was not done to kill the horse, your reckless conduct led to the horse's distress and, ultimately, its death."
Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Sue Craig said: "This is a satisfying conclusion to a case that disturbed even the most experienced inspectors working at Appleby. Hopefully it will serve as an example that this kind of reckless cruelty cannot and will not be tolerated.
"We have worked closely alongside Cumbria Police in our investigations and are very pleased to have secured a conviction. We are also grateful to the travelling community for all their help, co-operation and support."
About Appleby Horse Fair
Around 25,000 visitors flock to Appleby every year to watch Romany, Gypsy and travelling communities wash horses and race them in front of prospective buyers. Around 1,500 horses are bought and sold there each year.
Last year's event was the first to take place since the Animal Welfare Act 2006 became law. A 12-strong team of RSPCA inspectors worked alongside Eden District Council officers from Cumbria constabulary to minimise suffering and promote animal welfare at the event.