A five-month prison sentence has been imposed on a couple in Co. Kildare who pleaded guilty to cruelty of a horse this week.

Chloe Walker Reid (25) from Cnoc Na Greine, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, and James Boland (26) from Oldgrange, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare both pleaded guilty to three offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at Naas District Court on Monday, March 3.

An inspector at the ISPCA, James McCormack, told the court how he found a chestnut gelding that was visibly underweight with its ribs, hips, and spinal bones protruding in a field off Hand Lane, Maddenstown, Co. Kildare in January 2023.

The horse was very unsteady on its feet and standing with its legs splayed. Its stomach was making noises, and it defecated a spray of faeces that covered part of its tail and legs.

Inspector McCormack organised for a vet to examine the horse in situ and the vet confirmed that the animal was unwell and needed immediate veterinary attention. It was recommended that it be moved to a local equine veterinary hospital for further assessment.

The inspector said he was approached by Walker Reid who said she was the owner of the horse.

According to McCormack, she said that the horse's condition had been deteriorating over the previous number of weeks.

He said that she admitted under caution that the horse had not received veterinary attention, saying that she didn’t have money for a vet.

The horse was seized and transported to a veterinary hospital, where the examining vet found that it was extremely emaciated with no fat evident anywhere. It was so underweight that the vet assigned a body condition score of zero out of five.

It was diagnosed with chronic colitis and was later euthanised to prevent any further suffering. The vet was of the view that it had “suffered greatly”.

The inspector told the court how he later called to Walker Reid's home to conduct an interview, where he met Boland, who claimed that he was the owner of the horse.

Boland claimed that the horse’s condition had declined rapidly in the days prior to its seizure. He also admitted that veterinary attention was not sought.

Viewing photographs which he described as “depressing”, judge Desmond Zaidan said that the horse “must have been in hell” and suffered a lot of pain that could have been prevented with early intervention.

He said that he could not get his head around the fact that both defendants worked in the equine sector and had knowledge, saying that they “let the horse down badly”.

Judge Zaidan imposed five-month custodial sentences for each of the three charges on both of the accused, with the sentences to run concurrently. He also ordered that they pay €1,028.59 to cover vet fees incurred by the ISPCA.

The judge commented that horses feel the same pain as humans, but they do not express it orally, and that this horse “had no one to speak on its behalf”.

Inspector McCormack said: "This was a very sad case to see a beautiful horse in obvious pain and suffering that went on over a period of weeks.

"It is not okay to allow an animal to suffer such pain and it is every animal owner's responsibility to provide a level of care and kindness to all animals in their care," he added.

The ISPCA urges the public to report any suspicions of animal cruelty, neglect, or abuse to its confidential helpline by calling 0818 515 515.