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Pot belly pig died despite rescue Pot belly pig died despite rescue
(10 minutes later)
A pot bellied pig died less than a week after it was rescued from a farm, a court has heard.A pot bellied pig died less than a week after it was rescued from a farm, a court has heard.
A vet told magistrates in Swansea it had been suffering from malnutrition for "weeks if not months."A vet told magistrates in Swansea it had been suffering from malnutrition for "weeks if not months."
Delia Williams, 60, and her daughter Krystle Jones, 22, of Winch Wen in the city, were cleared of causing it unnecessary suffering by starving it.Delia Williams, 60, and her daughter Krystle Jones, 22, of Winch Wen in the city, were cleared of causing it unnecessary suffering by starving it.
But magistrates ruled they should have sought veterinary care for the animal. They will be sentenced next week.But magistrates ruled they should have sought veterinary care for the animal. They will be sentenced next week.
The women said it died of old age and they had done "everything they could" to look after it.The women said it died of old age and they had done "everything they could" to look after it.
RSPCA inspector Nigel Dugaid told the court that someone phoned the charity to raise concerns about the animal which was being kept at Catersford Farm at Ilston, Gower.RSPCA inspector Nigel Dugaid told the court that someone phoned the charity to raise concerns about the animal which was being kept at Catersford Farm at Ilston, Gower.
On the morning of 19 March last year he visited the farm where he found the pig.On the morning of 19 March last year he visited the farm where he found the pig.
"It was obvious straight away that the pig was in a very poor bodily condition," he said."It was obvious straight away that the pig was in a very poor bodily condition," he said.
Ribs and pelvisRibs and pelvis
Mr Duguid said it was "hobbling" around the farm yard and was "having difficulty".Mr Duguid said it was "hobbling" around the farm yard and was "having difficulty".
Vet Ellie Bowen was called.Vet Ellie Bowen was called.
She told magistrates the pig was so thin she could see all its ribs and pelvis.She told magistrates the pig was so thin she could see all its ribs and pelvis.
Ms Bowen told the court it had been suffering from malnutrition "for weeks if not months."Ms Bowen told the court it had been suffering from malnutrition "for weeks if not months."
It was simply the case that this was an old pig that died naturally David Singh, defendingIt was simply the case that this was an old pig that died naturally David Singh, defending
"In my opinion this pig suffered unnecessarily from chronic emaciation."In my opinion this pig suffered unnecessarily from chronic emaciation.
"It's clear that if the pig had been fed on a regular basis it would not have reached the state of emaciation it did.""It's clear that if the pig had been fed on a regular basis it would not have reached the state of emaciation it did."
The animal was removed by police to the RSPCA centre in Swansea but died less than a week later.The animal was removed by police to the RSPCA centre in Swansea but died less than a week later.
The mother and daughter said in interview that they had owned it for 10 years after they were given it by an animal rescue centre. The mother and daughter said in interview that they had owned it for 12 years after they were given it by an animal rescue centre.
Fruit and nutsFruit and nuts
They said although no one lived at the farm they would travel there two or three times a day to feed the animals.They said although no one lived at the farm they would travel there two or three times a day to feed the animals.
The pig's diet included horse nuts and an array of fruit and vegetables, said the women.The pig's diet included horse nuts and an array of fruit and vegetables, said the women.
Ms Jones told the RSPCA she was concerned the animal had lost weight but put it down to "old age."Ms Jones told the RSPCA she was concerned the animal had lost weight but put it down to "old age."
Appearing on their behalf, David Singh put it to Ms Bowen the pair had done "everything they could" to look after it.Appearing on their behalf, David Singh put it to Ms Bowen the pair had done "everything they could" to look after it.
"It was simply the case that this was an old pig that died naturally," he added."It was simply the case that this was an old pig that died naturally," he added.
Pig specialist Mark White told the court he did not believe the pair had starved the animal.Pig specialist Mark White told the court he did not believe the pair had starved the animal.
"There's no suggestion in any of the statements that this animal was in pain," said the veterinary surgeon."There's no suggestion in any of the statements that this animal was in pain," said the veterinary surgeon.
"There's nothing in any of the evidence that I've been shown that says this animal was not being fed.""There's nothing in any of the evidence that I've been shown that says this animal was not being fed."
Magistrates cleared the pair of the first charge but ruled they had caused the pig unnecessary suffering by not seeking veterinary care as they were both aware it was losing weight.Magistrates cleared the pair of the first charge but ruled they had caused the pig unnecessary suffering by not seeking veterinary care as they were both aware it was losing weight.
The bench indicated they would sentence the pair to a community order at a hearing next week.The bench indicated they would sentence the pair to a community order at a hearing next week.