Monica Hewitt Is Jailed For Animal Harm

Monica Hewitt who is a pony show judge from Derbyshire has been jailed for four months a Derby Magistrates Court for causing unnecessary suffering to 31 ponies and horses and four dogs. Philip Hickson Chairman of the bench said it was the "worst case of animal cruelty and neglect" he had seen.

Hewitt's daughter, Monica Hewitt was given a four month suspended sentence. She pleaded guilty to five counts of causing needless suffering to animals at an earlier hearing. Minica Hewitt helped her mother with the horses every day and was also given a 12 month community order. Monica Hewitt a judge for the Welsh Pony and Cob Society also pleaded guilty to 13 counts of the same offence.

The RSPCA told the court they found thin ponies with coats matted in manure, rotten teeth, breathing problems and deformed hooves that has twisted into spirals. The conditions the horses were kept in were squalid. No attempt was made to seek veterinarian help. Both women have also been banned from keeping animals for life.