WARNING DISTRESSING VIDEO BELOW - MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT WISH TO WATCH THE VIDEO

The video was filmed by the RSPCA regarding the neglected ponies at Tarleton where the owners were banned from keeping animals for life.

Ormskirk and Rural West Lancs Police wanted to update you on a distressing case we have supported the RSPCA on.

A couple have been banned from keeping animals for life after four severely neglected ponies were found imprisoned in deplorable conditions at a smallholding in West Lancashire.

The RSPCA led on the investigation after a member of the public raised concerns about the welfare of a pony believed to be in their care. Our South Rural Taskforce interviewed the suspects with the RSPCA and supported in seizing the animals.

The ponies - aged around six and seven years old, were unable to stand up naturally due to the level of faecal build up in the cramped conditions and it is thought they may never have left their filthy stables during their whole life. Three other ponies were found in poor health stabled at premises nearby.

Jack Carter, 75 and wife Barbara, 72, both from Tarleton, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences when they appeared before Lancashire Magistrates on Thursday (January 20) in a prosecution brought by the RSPCA. As well as the life ban on keeping all animals, both defendants were imprisoned for 12 weeks suspended for two years and were both ordered to pay £500 costs.

The ponies were signed over into RSPCA care and were taken for an emergency veterinary examination and sadly four of them were all found to be suffering. The vets decided the kindest thing to do was to put them to sleep to end their suffering. The remaining pony was taken into RSPCA care and was rehabilitated and will now be found a new home.

RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald said: “The severe lack of care and level of suffering endured by these ponies was prolonged, wholly avoidable and totally inexcusable. It was heart breaking to find them in such a neglectful state and for them, after such an awful life, to be beyond saving. The extreme level of neglect I witnessed in this case is unlikely to ever be surpassed and will remain with me.”

PC Sean Dalby, wildlife officer for Lancashire Police added: ‘This was a shocking case of needless cruelty to several ponies that should not have happened. I am happy that the court took the matter so seriously and the South Rural Task Force will continue to investigate and target animal cruelty offenders. We would like to thank the RSPCA with this case and will continue to support them.

"We work closely with all our partners to bring offenders of this nature to justice and would urge people to continue reporting any incidents to us at southrtf@lancashire.police.uk”

Does anyone on this site have any information regarding a RTC on Flag Lane, Bretherton, involving a pony and an Audi in the early hours of January the 14th?