An elderly couple who kept ponies in 'extremely barbaric conditions' were spared jail after admitting animal cruelty.
Jack and Barbara Carter, 75 and 73, were found to be keeping four severely neglected ponies 'imprisoned in deplorable conditions' at a smallholding on their property on Bank Bridge, Tarleton, Lancashire.
They were taken to court after an RSPCA investigation uncovered the neglect they attempted to hide, LancsLive reports.