Speaking after the hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, RSPCA chief officer Tim Wass said: “We are delighted that the judge has suspended his original order.
“The immediate welfare of the animals is secure and we will continue to fight to keep them safe in the future.”
The Gray family, James, aged 44 years, his wife Julie and daughters Cordelia and Jodie, did not attend yesterday’s hearing.
Phillip Williams, representing the family in the civil proceedings, said the animals involved were not part of the Grays’ horse trading business but were family pets and were not at immediate risk in their care.
He said there was one pony called Disadvantaged Jenny who the Grays were willing to surrender to the charity’s care to prevent her from undergoing any further stress.
He said: “The animal has digestive problems and is old and blind.
“Not wanting to put that animal through any further stress James Gray is willing to hand her over.”
He said the RSPCA’s officer had only had a short time to assess the conditions on the Grays’ farm.
Judge Kainth said he agreed with the RSPCA that as the animals were pets their business had not been disrupted by having them confiscated.
He said: “I therefore take the view that a stay is the appropriate way forward.
“My original ruling from the 4th of April is suspended.”
The Judge ordered the Grays to pay the RSPCA’s £3,000 legal fees.
The family is due back at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on April 28 to face criminal proceedings for 12 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals that were removed from Spindles Farm between January 4 and 12, 2008.
Daily Mail
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Great news so far… lets just hope that all the animals can stay in the care of the sanctuaries. They’ve been thro’ more than enough suffering.
Comment by hilly1 — April 16, 2008 @ 3:17 pm