“I missed it” – Eight months in prison for neglected pony

“You don’t see something like that every day,” said the official veterinarian on Thursday at the Graz Criminal Court, where a 58-year-old woman from southeastern Styria had to answer for animal cruelty. During a routine check of the goats on the farm, the vet discovered a completely emaciated pony standing motionless.

Hoof grew in the skin
“It was extremely neglected,” the vet said, explaining the terrifying details: The animal suffered from chronic laminitis, one of the most painful equine diseases, which had already progressed to the point where the hoof once turned back into the skin on its own axis. joint has grown.

The hoof was also infested with maggots. As if that wasn’t enough for pony “Daisy”, the animal also suffered from an overgrown tooth that made eating almost impossible. “It practically starved of starvation next to the full trough.” The poor animal endured this torment for at least a year and had to be euthanized.

Regret looks different
“Yes, it happened. I missed it. Sorry. I was not well at the time either,” the defendant justified himself succinctly and snotty. “Your repentance does not seem very sincere,” said Judge Erik Nauta. Why did she not seek help? “I used to think that anyway, but I don’t know either.” For the “gross case of neglect”, as the judge says, the hobby animal owner will be fined 3,600 euros plus eight months suspended prison sentence (not legally binding) .