Couple avoid prison over 'prolonged neglect' of alpacas

David and Susan Boxall refused to call in a vet after the two mammals fell into poor health due to their "prolonged neglect".

When an RSPCA inspector carried out visits to their smallholding earlier this year in Lytchett Matravers they found the alpacas – named Leo and Reggie – severely underweight with overgrown nails and fleeces.

Leo was actually found dead on the ground while Reggie had to be put down later.

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A court heard the mammals died from either septicaemia or pneumonia which would have been preventable had the Boxall's sought help for them.

Picture taken at the Boxall's farm

The RSPCA inspector also found a horse called Eddie in a poor state of health due to neglect.

Matthew Knight, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told Poole Magistrates' Court: "The horse was severely underweight, had poor teeth and trouble eating.

"Mr Boxall told inspectors nothing was wrong, he was just old and had lost some muscle due to lack of exercise.

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"A reasonable owner would always seek vet advice for that amount of weight loss. That degree of loss would have taken a considerable time to happen, at least a month, and could have been avoided with proper nourishment and suitable worming.

"Leo was very underweight and the coat was long, thick and matted, the nails were overgrown and twisted. The cause of death was either septicaemia or pneumonia and could have been entirely preventable if a suitable worming treatment had been put in place.

"Mr Boxall said he had kept horses for 50 years and alpacas for seven years. He disagreed with officers that the horse needed treatment and said 'it wasn't that bad' and it was 'old age'.

Picture taken at the Boxalls small holding in Lytchett Matravers. Picture: RSPCA/BNPS

"These animals were patently in need of care and assistance but these defendants who think they know better resisted advice and that has led to the suffering of these animals.

"It was a failure of basic husbandry, a failure to seek professional advice. They suffered unnecessarily from preventable causes.

"It was prolonged neglect and there was no explanation why professionals weren't called."

David Boxall, 61, and Susan Boxall, 66, denied any wrongdoing but were found guilty of eight offences each relating to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and duty of care for the animals.

Defending the Boxalls, of Turbary Close, Poole, Alex Weller said the couple cared for their disabled son and he would be seriously impacted if they were sent to prison.

He said: "Mr Boxall has worked hard all of his life. He served with distinction in the army and helped to foster and bring up nine children.

"He continues to help with day to day care of their disabled son.

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"Their smallholding provided them with a great deal of comfort and joy. I would say this was well intentioned but incompetent care.

"There have been other animals at the farm, when the RSPCA attended they have been in good condition.

"It is clear they are able to look after animals and provide a suitable level of care or they would have all been seized."

He said the couple had taken in animals when other people could not care for them, all their animals were elderly and they did not plan to replace them after they died.

The magistrates sentenced them to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

They said the case warranted custody but decided to suspend the prison sentence because they are carers for their disabled son.

They also ordered them to pay £1,406 costs between them and disqualified them from owning any horses or alpacas for five years.