The Court of Appeal of Caen condemned on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 an employee of the Mesnil-Girard stud farm in Trun, accused of neglecting the care and abandoning five horses entrusted by their owners during the summer. According to the media Actu.fr.
Anthony X, 40 years old and former manager of the stud farm for 20 years, was dismissed following these accusations. He recognized that he was "definitely burnt out in the equine world". He had created an activity of autoentrepreneur in parallel and it is in January 2020 that he had been entrusted with the care of five horses.
Passers-by had been alerted by the thinness of the five horses, which were entrusted to Anthony X. The animal protection association Les Paniers du Coeur of Argentan (Orne) took charge of the case and reported it to the authorities after having been informed of the horses' condition.
A horse had to be euthanized because of its serious health condition
Photos taken by passers-by and posted on social networks showed the worrying state of health of one of the horses, notably lying on its side and showing protruding bones.
One of the owners of the horses was forced to have his animal euthanized due to its critical condition.
The defendant had appealed his conviction by the criminal court of Argentan, which found him guilty of abandonment and mistreatment of animals on February 8, 2022. He was sentenced to a three-month suspended prison sentence and a one-year ban on activities related to animals. He denied any neglect or abuse of animals.
Among the horses entrusted to the defendant were two foals that suffered from "developmental delays" according to the charges. These horses had been purchased to compete in horse races, but their careers were not able to take off due to the poor care they received.
Their euthanasia was also studied. The lawyer of Jacques X, owner of one of the foals, recalled that the boarding fees had cost his client €12,924 and asked the court to condemn the defendant to pay him €20,000 for all the damages suffered.
The Court of Appeal of Caen has confirmed the first instance judgment condemning an employee of a stud farm for mistreatment and abandonment of five horses entrusted to his care.
The owner of one of the horses, Jacques X, was compensated 600€ for his legal costs in appeal.
James X, another owner, received 1 500€ for his moral prejudice and 1 200€ for his legal fees.
