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Pensioner banned from keeping horses for life

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A man who claimed he rescued a starving horse found at his property from a group of travellers who were threatening to shoot her has been convicted of animal neglect.

Self-proclaimed animal lover Gordon Whyte was banned from keeping horses and ponies for life yesterday after he was found guilty of neglecting three horses in April last year.

The 65-year-old had denied causing dark mare Nelly unnecessary pain and suffering and claimed he was trying to prolong her life by taking her into his care.

Throughout the course of the trial, Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard the horse was rescued by Scottish SPCA officers, who discovered she was “in a great deal of pain” due to “severe dental problems” which were preventing her from eating.

Little more than a year later, she had to be put down.

Yesterday Sheriff Kenneth Stewart said he believed Whyte, who suffers from ill health, had not deliberately intended to harm the animals but said, in his opinion, he was “not physically fit” to look after them.

The sheriff admonished Whyte on both charges but said he would be “failing in his duty” if he did not ban the pensioner from ever keeping the animals in the future.

Speaking after court yesterday Whyte, of 31 Kingfisher Way, Inverurie, said that he still believed he was innocent and said that the animals “give him a reason to get up in the morning”.

He said: “When I was approached by the travellers they asked me if I wanted another horse. When I said no they told me they were going to destroy her and shoot her. I couldn’t have let them do that so I took her on. I wish now I hadn’t.”

Sheriff Stewart said that throughout the trial Whyte’s stubbornness showed that he felt he knew what was best for the animals and indicated that he knew how to care for the horses better than any vet.

He said it was this stubbornness which led to the neglect of the animals by not allowing them to receive professional help.

Last night SSPCA chief inspector John Carle said: “Even though Nelly was wearing two rugs, it was evident she was extremely thin.

“Her head was sunken in areas, as were her eyes, and when her rugs were removed her bones were clearly visible.

“Nelly’s skin was sore to the touch where her rugs had been and her hair was falling out.

“Tragically, while Nelly progressed very well in our care for around a year, she recently began suffering from health problems and the vet advised that, sadly, the kindest option was to put her to sleep.

“The two fillies we removed from Whyte’s care have since been found loving new homes.”