James Gray and his son James Gray Junior have today been found guilty on all 11 counts of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of a total of 125 horses. James Gray’s wife Julie and daughters Cordelia and Jodie were found guilty on two Section 9 counts.
It was one of the worst cases of horse welfare abuse in UK history. 32 horses, ponies and donkeys were found dead and over 100 were removed from Spindles Farm in Amersham in January 2008. Sentencing will take place at Aylesbury Magistrates Court in four weeks time.
Roly Owers, World Horse Welfare Chief Executive says: “World Horse Welfare is pleased that justice has prevailed and James Gray and his son have been found guilty on all counts.
“This is the most high profile test of new legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and it must send a clear message that neglecting and mistreating horses in this way is totally unacceptable.
“World Horse Welfare took in 11 of the Amersham horses and after lots of care and rehabilitation, we are pleased to say that they have all now recovered. If we are awarded permanent custody of the horses, we will be looking for loving new loan homes for them where they can look forward to a happy life far removed from the one they experienced in the hands of the Gray family.”
World Horse Welfare Field Officer Nick White, who was one of the first at the scene:
“After seeing the conditions in the fields, it wasn’t until I went into the yard that the enormity of it hit me… there were dead horses on the ground in front of me, and to the right. I looked across there was a dead horse in the stalls. It was like walking into another world.
“There were none of the normal noises I associate with a stable yard – horses moving about, eating, drinking, calling out to one another or the gentle noises that horses make when approached, expecting to be fed or cared for. They were totally silent. Even the horses that appeared in better bodily condition seemed to be depressed, almost as if they had lost their dignity.”
You can watch a video interview with Nick White here:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?v=EYdYiVmXz8I&user=horsecharity
I hope neither this evil man nor any member of his family is allowed near any animal ever again. If I had my way, he would be locked up, the key thrown away, and be left to rot, the way he left those poor horses. I hope the sentence reflects the cruelty and heartlessness of his actions.
Comment by Lyn Evans — May 8, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
THE LAW SHOULD BE WATERTIGHT SO THAT THIS ‘ANIMAL’ CANNOT PURCHASE OR KEEP ANOTHER HORSE IN HIS LIFETIME, NOR HIS FAMILY MEMBERS WHO PROFESS INNOCENCE! WHY THEN IS HE ABLE TO CONTINUE STALKING THE HORSE SALES AS HE DOES AT PRESENT IN PURSUIT OF OTHER POOR HELPLESS VICTIMS. COULD IT BE HE IS RELATED TO HANNIBAL LECTOR AND EVERYONE IS TOO SCARED OF HIM?
LET’S HOPE FOR PROPER SENTENCING TOMORROW AND THAT “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND” FOR MR GRAY. ‘MEDALS’ TO ALL THOSE WHO PURSUED THIS EVIL CHARACTER AND STOOD UP TO HIS AGGRESSION.
Comment by LindaShill — June 12, 2009 @ 12:30 am