Derbyshire pair deny 16 charges of cruelty to animals after RSPCA inspection at Dronfield site

A Derbyshire pair has denied a raft of allegations that they abused around 60 animals at a site in Dronfield, including cats and horses.
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Judy Shaw and Peter Hardy appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 27, to face 16 charges each of animal cruelty, in a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

The case comes after an inspection to the unspecified site on July 2 last year by RSPCA staff and a vet.

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Following the inspection, they were charged with failing to take reasonable care of the welfare of 31 cats, not feeding them properly or providing them with clean water. They are also charged with not acting to prevent injury or disease in relation to the animals.

The pair deny the charges against themThe pair deny the charges against them
The pair deny the charges against them

Of the 16 charges both defendants face, more than half relate to horses and a foal, which are all described in court records as being dangerously thin.

Charges also relate to not providing suitable living conditions for the animals, failing to maintain their hooves, and failing to take reasonable steps to protect them from injury or disease.

In total, the alleged abuse relates to around 60 animals, the court was told.

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Shaw, 47, of Dorset Close, Brimington, and Hardy, 57, now also of Dorset Close, but previously of Ramshaw Road, Unstone, Dronfield, denied all the charges at the plea and trial preparation hearing.

They will next be before the court on February 26 for a case management hearing before their trial - which is expected to last for five days and will provisionally take place in June before a district judge.