Judge sends ponies back to the farm where they were cruelly abused

Ponies and donkeys rescued in one of the biggest horse welfare cases are to be returned to the farm where they were found starving.

The RSPCA described the decision by a judge to allow meat trader Jamie Gray to take back 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies as "devastating and sickening".

Gray, who is part of the travelling community, makes a living by buying horses cheaply and selling them on the Continent for food.

A total of 111 horses, ponies and donkeys were seized from Spindles farm in Hyde Heath, Buckinghamshire, in January.

Many were found among the remains of rotting animals and needed round-the-clock care at horse sanctuaries before they regained enough strength to stand. Investigators found 31 dead animals.

But even though the discovery provoked widespread outrage, Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth allowed some of the animals to go back to the farm.

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During an application by Mr Gray at Oxford Magistrates' Court for the animals to be returned, the judge partially granted the request, saying "there is no evidence to show they are in any danger".

He ordered the remaining horses to be sold at auction, with the proceeds going to Mr Gray, minus any legal costs.

The RSPCA is looking at "all available legal avenues" to challenge the decision to "secure the welfare of the animals involved".

RSPCA inspector Kirsty Hampton said: "We are devastated the court has ordered that some of the animals be returned to the defendants, as we have grave concerns about their ability to care for them.

"An open sale to an unknown bidder means that we cannot be sure of the level of future care they will receive."

Some of the most emaciated animals have been cared for at The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire, where carers helped 14 donkeys and horses to recover from the brink of death.

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Paul Jepson, the trust's director and veterinary surgeon, said: "It is incomprehensible that the court is sending these animals to a market. We have pledged to give them a secure future and waive the cost of their care and treatment.

"One of them is an elderly, blind mare. Is the court really ordering her into the sale ring?

"Is it really sending the supposedly pet donkeys back to the hell-hole where they were starved to the point that they were so weak that it took three weeks of special care before they were strong enough to stand without assistance?"

Lee Hackett, of the British Horse Society, said: "While we recognise that the trials of those charged have yet to take place, the terrible condition of the animals should have been enough to ensure that they remain safely in the care of rescue organisations."

Gray, 44, Cordelia Gray, Jodie Gray and a youth who cannot be named are accused of causing the unnecessary suffering of 125 equines and of failing to meet their welfare needs.

The four deny the charges and are due to appear in court on April 28.