A horse-riding centre owner has been accused of neglect after two animals died in a farmer’s field.
Dougie Brown claims Sean O’Hagan has landed him with the responsibility of having the dead horses removed from his farm at a cost of £700.
Carty Port Equestrian Centre boss O’Hagan was using Dougie’s land for grazing nine horses over the summer.
But two of them died and rescue staff at a sanctuary are looking after five amid claims they are
malnourished.
Dougie, who owns Palgowan farm in Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, is continuing to care for two ponies.
He said: “I’m quite angry. I have to dispose of the two dead ones. It will cost me £700.
“O’Hagan said to me last summer that there was four of them jumping out on the neighbour’s farm so I’d given him grazing for the summer, free of charge.
“I asked him to take them away in autumn because we don’t have much grass in winter. So he removed them but then he brought back the same four plus another five at some time early in the year. I don’t use that field in winter.
“The two that were dead, I assume, died months ago.”
The Carty Port Equestrian Centre, also in Newton Stewart, is up for sale for offers around £150,000.
The two horses were discovered dead on April 29.
Carers at the 3 Rs Horse Rescue Centre are looking after five other horses believed to belong to O’Hagan’s business.
Sanctuary boss Susan Murdoch criticised the SSPCA for failing to tackle the neglect.
She said: “Two horses are dead after being left abandoned yet the SSPCA have done nothing.
They said they have no concerns over the welfare of the horses.
“These poor animals were skin and bones and riddled with ticks and lice when we found them.
“O’Hagan should not be allowed anywhere near animals.”
SSPCA chief inspector Hamish Mackintosh said: “We have been alerted to a number of incidents around Newton Stewart regarding the owner of several animals.
“A thorough investigation was carried out. A report has previously been sent to the procurator fiscal, which did not result in a conviction.
“We do not have concerns about the welfare of the horses.
“It is the responsibility of the local authority to deal with dead animals.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Our animal welfare officer is supporting the Scottish SPCA’s investigation.”
Meanwhile, detectives are investigating the theft of more than 30 animals – including cows, lambs and goats – from O’Hagan’s centre.
Local animal rights activists are said to have removed them due to concerns over their welfare.
O’Hagan did not respond to our requests for a comment.
