Brighouse woman Harriet Midgley is permanently banned from keeping horses after her severely underweight Shetland pony, Pip, was discovered dead in a stream. The court heard that the 12‑year‑old pony likely fell down a steep bank while trying to reach the only available water source.
Midgley was sentenced at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on 10 July 2026 following an RSPCA prosecution.
Pip’s body was found on 11 January 2024 in a stream at Wood Bottom Lane, Brighouse.
An RSPCA inspector described the field as snow‑covered, icy, and full of hazards—barbed wire, sharp metal, broken fencing, and unstable flooring from old pig sheds.
Buckets that should have held water were frozen solid, leaving the stream as Pip’s only option. Evidence suggested he fell 7–8 metres down the bank rather than walking into the water.
A vet could not confirm whether Pip drowned or died beforehand, but said it was highly likely he was desperately trying to reach water when he fell.
Veterinary evidence showed Pip had been suffering from long‑term malnutrition, leaving him too weak to navigate the steep terrain. His ribs, spine, and hips were clearly visible.
Witnesses had previously raised concerns about:
- Poor grazing
- Unsafe fencing
- The hazardous condition of the field
- Offers of help were reportedly declined.
After snowfall on 5 January, no footprints were seen in the field, and Midgley later admitted she had not visited Pip after the snow fell.
CCTV showed a member of the public had given Pip hay on 30 December—13 days before he was found dead.
The vet concluded Midgley failed to provide:
- Adequate nutrition
- A safe environment
- Necessary veterinary care
Midgley told the RSPCA she believed Pip had been fed regularly and said his weight loss began two to four weeks before she last saw him. The pony had not seen a vet during her ownership except for an initial visit.
Her defence described her care as “well intentioned but incompetent”, claiming she had a deep love of horses. Magistrates called the circumstances “horrible”.
Sentenced to an 18-month community order with 270 hours of unpaid work; £750 in costs and £114 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban in relation to equines which she can appeal after 10 years.
Additional Information
In May 2026 a petition was launched calling for justice for Pip — also known as Pipsqueak.
The petition accuses Harriet Midgley of long‑term neglect and cruelty toward Pip (Pipsqueak), detailing the conditions he was kept in, the suffering he endured, and calling for justice, accountability, and stronger protections for animals.