A woman from Harlow has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after pleading guilty to six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
Kelly Buteux, from Halling Hall, pleaded guilty to the offences at Stevenage Magistrates court on 26 April.
An investigation into the 37-year-old’s actions was undertaken Hertfordshire Constabulary’s rural operational support team (ROST).
Last October Buteux was found to have “failed to adequately feed and care for” three horses and one pig, which caused them to become malnourished and severely underweight.
She had also failed to provide suitable bedding for one pig, which then passed away as a result. In addition to this she failed to provide veterinary care for one of the horses, which had an abscess on its foot, causing it considerable pain.
As well as the ban, Buteux was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, a 12-month community order and a 12-month curfew with electronic tagging, which prohibits her from leaving her home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.
Detective Constable Amanda Matthews from the ROST said: “No animal should have to suffer as the animals did that were in Kelly Buteux’s care.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of this sentencing and I hope it sends a stark warning to anyone who has animals in their care that the police, alongside the RSPCA, will deal swiftly and robustly with anyone who neglects animals.”
The ROST is a five-strong team of police officers who specialise in preventing crime concerning wildlife, agriculture, equine issues, the county’s heritage and the local environment.
