A Shetland man escaped jail yesterday when he appeared in court on serious animal neglect charges.
David Davies, 59, of Grindibrek, Skeld, had previously admitted failing to provide adequate food, fresh water, shelter and veterinary care for two Shetland ponies in a field in Cunningsburgh between June 1 and December 7 last year.
The case came to light when one of the two ponies died of malnutrition and lice infection.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court, Sheriff Philip Mann sentenced Davies to 180 hours of unpaid work and banned him from owning and keeping any animals except dogs for ten years.
In mitigation, defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client had struggled to cope with difficult personal circumstances in that he had to look after three children and a wife heavily dependent on him.
“It was a fairly desperate time for Mr Davies and something had to give and clearly it was the ponies,” the solicitor said.
Fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Davies should have been able to rectify the situation as he had had offers of help from other people.
Mr Allan said his client accepted that he should have sought help and had repeatedly expressed his remorse for what had happened.
Sheriff Mann described the charges as “particularly serious” and “of the kind that would amply merit a custodial sentence”.
However, he added that he was persuaded that nothing would be gained from sending Davies to jail, as it would have a devastating impact on his family.
He imposed a community payback order and told Davies that he had to complete the 180 hours of unpaid work within a nine month period.