Three ponies have been put to sleep, including a Shetland with maggot-infested wounds, and a further six taken into charity care, following a welfare case that was brought to court last month. Lisa Wall, 32, of Festival Drive in Ebbw Vale, appeared at Newport Magistrates Court on 25 February after previously pleading not guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.She was sentenced to a 10 year ban on keeping animals and ordered to pay a 300 fine for each of the three offences. She was also ordered to pay 3,512 in costs.In mitigation the court heard that she stated that the Shetland pony was nothing to do with her and was intending to appeal that matter. In respect of the original eight ponies case, she stated that she had been asking others to look after them whilst she was in hospital and it wasnt her fault.In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben said that the eight ponies he found on 19 April 2025 were in a poor body condition and living in an unsuitable environment in a field off Festival Drive.I initially observed three cob type ponies in a fenced field alongside the main road, said Inspector Hogben. The ponies were alert and active but seemed hungry, they were stripping the new buds of the trees in the field.The grazing was poor and I could not see signs of supplementary feed, there were several black buckets in the field that contained a little water in each. Two of these ponies were in thin condition with their spines clearly visible.There were also hazards in the field including metal, hard plastic, broken fencing, the base of an old caravan to name a few.He said he walked down a driveway where he found four caravans. He shouted Hello several times but no-one was present.There were several empty dog kennels on site but no sign of animals, there were many hazards around including broken fencing, metal, glass bottles, wood, plastic, toys, a derelict building with horse faeces present, he added.As I walked back to my van I came across five other ponies. These ponies were all alert and active with two being lean to the touch.An equine vet was called to the location as no owner at the time could be found and all eight horses were taken into possession by police and handed into the care of the RSPCA.In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Sian Burton said it was on 4 October last year when she attended land off Park Road where she met two police officers who were already at the location.In the yard they found the chestnut pony who was bright in itself but had a missing tail.It had exposed bone on its dock and no hair on its tail, she said. It had wounds all around its back end and the wounds were crawling with maggots and it smelt very strongly of infection.The pony was taken into possession by police and handed into the care of the RSPCA.In a statement from a vet, who examined the pony, he said he estimated his body condition score to be 1.5 to two out of five.Examination revealed a large patch of matted coat with severe, established myiasis (fly strike/maggots) over the upper hind quarters, he said.The tail was damaged with the lower half completely degloved and desiccated with coccygeal bones exposed. On the dorsal dock/tail head there were two deep puncture wounds and multiple lacerations and a superficial skin abrasion more distally.All these wounds were affected by maggots. The underside of the tail was damaged and deep lacerations were present and scalding of the skin caused by discharge from the other wounds present.The dorsal anal sphincter was absent approximately 25-33% completely removed with an associated rectal tear that extended approximately two inches internally.Multiple deep peri-anal and perineal wounds were present extending at least three inches in depth and distally to the pelvic bone.There was significant tissue loss in this area which had been exacerbated by the presence of large numbers of maggots in all wounds.The wound under the ponys tail can be viewed here viewer discretion advised due to graphic nature of image.Under sedation all wounds were cleaned and flushed and the pony was given antibiotics, pain relief and anti-parasitic medication.The vet added that in his opinion the initial wounds were consistent with dog bites as several deep punctures and tissue loss were present. The prognosis for this pony was very poor and he advised euthanasia on welfare grounds.Out of the eight ponies removed earlier in the year, two ponies were put to sleep on veterinary advice. The other six remain in RSPCA care and will be rehomed.Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect and if you are responsible for a horse you must make sure their needs are met and receive the appropriate care and veterinary treatment when needed, said investigating officer, RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben, following sentencing.The RSPCA understands that the defendant intends to appeal.Images by RSPCAMore from Your HorseIs AI quietly revolutionising horse welfare? 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