- Animal Cruelty Charges Dropped
- Defendant Criticizes RSPCA and Online Trolls
- Impact on Defendant’s Life and Career
Animal cruelty charges have been dropped against a woman videotaped kicking and striking a pony during a hunt.
In 2021, the RSPCA filed a private prosecution against Sarah Moulds, 39, for disciplining the animal in Lincolnshire.
Mrs. Moulds’s supporters wept as she was exonerated of two offenses at the Lincoln Crown Court.
She subsequently criticized the RSPCA, stating that it had been “pressured” to act by “online trolls and ill-informed high-profile individuals.”
The RSPCA responded by respecting the jury’s decision but denying it had been influenced.
Mrs. Moulds stated outside of court on Friday that the verdict demonstrated “the importance of due process” and that “there are two sides to every story.”
She stated, “Today’s verdict vindicates me, but the damage from the twenty-month trial by social media is irreversible.”
She reported that a Christmas card containing a death threat was delivered to her residence.
Under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, Mrs. Moulds was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The court heard conflicting veterinary opinions regarding the amount of agony and fear the pony may have endured.
Mrs. Moulds, from Somerby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, stated that she intended to “briefly shock” the animal, but denied losing her composure and insisted that the force used was appropriate.
She told the court that her life had been “torn to pieces” by the case, as she had lost her job as a teacher and received death threats.
The court heard that Mrs. Moulds had “minimal contact” with the pony, which she still owned, and that there were no indications of external or internal injury following the incident, which occurred on 6 November 2021 in The Drift, Gunby.
Mrs. Moulds had been traveling with children as part of one of Britain’s oldest foxhound packs, the Cottesmore Hunt.
Bruce Almighty, one of her animals, pulled away from a child but soon returned.
The court was informed that Mrs. Moulds “immediately chastised him” when the steed returned.
Mrs Moulds was filmed by a hunt saboteur kicking the pony in the torso and slapping him four times in the face before returning him to his stall.
In her testimony, Mrs. Moulds stated, “At that precise instant, [Bruce] did something extremely dangerous, and I determined that it was necessary to discipline him immediately”.
In actuality, it was four seconds at that time. I’ve always wanted to discipline Bruce so he doesn’t repeat the behaviour.
“There was little contact, and it was brief and brief.”
The 11-man, 1-woman jury exonerated Mrs. Moulds following a three-day trial and five-hour deliberation.
Recorder Graham Huston addressed the jury as follows: “Ladies and gentlemen, many thanks. I am aware that it was not an easy situation; however, some cases are more challenging than others.
I am grateful that you carefully considered this situation and gave it your all.
“Fear and anguish”
Mrs. Moulds issued the following statement outside the court: “It is deeply troubling that, in this digital era, false information can spread like wildfire, leading to premature judgments and endangering the lives and careers of innocent people.
“A video clip was taken out of context and manipulated to portray me in a manner that is completely at odds with who I am.”
I love my dogs and have spent my life teaching kids, so being unfairly criticised was upsetting.
“My professional loss, hand-delivered death threats to me and my children, and family grief are irreparable.”
Regarding the RSPCA, she stated, “They are an animal welfare organization.” They are the only charity in the United Kingdom with prosecutorial authority.
“They squandered a phenomenal amount of public funds to bring a politically-charged case in response to pressure from online trolls and high-profile individuals who were ill-informed,” the author writes.
She stated that the charity had never requested to investigate the pony or view his living conditions.
“Had they visited Bruce the day after this incident, or any day in the last year and a half, they would have encountered a perfectly healthy, well-cared for, and happy pony,” she added.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA stated, “An independent veterinarian viewed the video evidence and concluded, based on their expertise, that Bruce’s reaction caused him pain, so he was not examined. This was supported by a second equine specialist veterinarian”.
We consulted veterinarians who said Bruce suffered physically and psychologically from his fear and sorrow.
The RSPCA will always investigate concerns expressed regarding animal welfare. This case was handled identically to all others. All of our prosecution decisions adhere to the same guidelines as the CPS – the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”
