A MAN and woman have been sentenced after three dogs, a pony and two wild birds were found alone, and two of the dogs straying amongst traffic on a 50mph road, in the run up to Appleby Horse Fair.

Michael Price of Lime Tree Avenue, Malton, North Yorkshire and Shannon Hanrahan, of Kidacre Street, Kidacre Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire appeared before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.

Price pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act of failing to meet the needs of a pony and two dogs - a lurcher and a collie - and one offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act of having two wild goldfinches in his possession.

Hanrahan pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act of failing to meet the needs of a Llasa Apso-type dog.

RSPCA inspector Claire Little said: “On Friday 31st May, whilst on duty in Kirkby Stephen, my colleague and I received a request from the police to help with some animals.

“As we arrived at the location I saw a brindle lurcher-type dog and what appeared to be a collie-type dog amongst the traffic and the police were trying to catch them.

“It was explained to us that the owners of the dogs were believed to be the occupants of a caravan on the side of the road, and that they were in Bradford.

“The dogs were wearing collars but there was no tethering equipment of any kind and a small caged area measuring approximately 2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft with no lid was the only possible living area I could see for them.

“I then saw a small cream Lhasa Apso-type dog that appeared young, inside a metal cage at the side of the road.

The cage had a lid that was secured but there was no shelter and the dog was laying on wet grass with no access to water.

“As the weather was wet I was concerned about the dog as they appeared to be shivering.

“A grey shetland pony tethered with a length of blue nylon rope tied around their neck was nearby.

“The rope was so tight that I couldn’t get my finger between the rope and the neck.

“I was concerned that this may start to injure the pony if they remained in this situation.

“The rope was tied to a nearby branch of a hedge that was quite flimsy.

“The pony’s hooves appeared overgrown.”

In mitigation for Price, the court heard that the animals were left near other caravans and that Price had arranged for someone to look after them while he was away but that he was delayed unexpectedly.

He said the pony was correctly tethered and someone must have replaced this with the nylon rope.

He was disqualified from keeping all animals for four years.

He was also sentenced to a 12-month community order including 60 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £600 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

A deprivation order was placed on the pony and two dogs who will now pass into RSPCA care and be rehomed.

The birds were released back into the wild.

In mitigation for Hanrahan, the court heard that the offence occurred when the dog was left with friends and family, she had no previous convictions and was of good character.

She was ordered to pay £160 fine, £250 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.