Couple banned from owning donkeys after neglect

A couple who admitted neglecting donkeys have been banned from keeping equine animals for five years.

The RSPCA said Andrew Semple and wife Samantha Semple-Thomas, from Holbury in Hampshire, left their animals to eat poor quality, mouldy hay and fend for themselves in thick mud.

One donkey was found dead while five that were still alive were found by a vet to be underweight with poor coats and concerns about potential mud fever - a skin condition that causes sore, scabby areas of the legs and heels.

Semple and Semple-Thomas, aged 54 and 51 respectively, were also each given an 18-month community order to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,500 in costs.

The RSPCA said the court was told in mitigation that the care of the donkeys declined after Semple-Thomas suffered a back injury and lost her father.

They both also expressed "a high level of remorse", the charity said.

RSPCA inspector Jo Story, who led the investigation, said: "Animals are reliant on owners to be given everything they need to survive, including an appropriate diet and suitable living conditions.

"We'd plead to anyone who is struggling to cope with the care of their pets to reach out and ask for the help they need.

"Sadly, these animals were badly neglected without food and homed within a space that severely compromised their health and welfare, and sadly led to the death of one donkey."

The five surviving donkeys - Fire, Sooty, River, Rosie and Ruby - now live at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth.

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