A horse trainer cleared on cruelty charges last year is being investigated for allegedly neglecting animals in her care, after a website was launched purporting to show horrific abuse.
The Scottish SPCA is probing claims Jackie Kemp mistreated horses at her Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre near Falkirk.
Inspectors visited her premises days after a Facebook page Let’s Stop this Horse Cruelty was set up. It documents horrific images of emaciated horses and one in its death throes is said to have been filmed at Kemp’s equestrian centre.
Ms Kemp has denied being cruel towards the animals in her care. She was cleared of charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals at a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last November.
Ms Kemp said: “While I am not going to address individual comments nor content contained within the aforementioned Facebook page, I will start by saying, from the outset, the Scottish SPCA and various other authorities have visited the premises on numerous occasions over the last month and have confirmed, on conclusion of these visits, that no action was required.
“The Facebook page has been set up in an attempt to sully my character and, furthermore, damage both my reputation and that of my businesses.
“I extend an open invitation to anyone and everyone who feels that cruelty is ongoing at Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre and welcome you any time (within business hours) to visit.”
Ms Kemp believes the Facebook page has been set up by a teenage ex-stable hand as a “personal vendetta” against her. She said the dying pony was under vet referral but died before the vet could arrive.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the remains of a horse belonging to Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre in Westershieldhill were found in an adjacent field after a follow-up investigation in response to complaints.
The environmental watchdog was previously called out to the centre after reports suggested a horse had been buried near a water supply but found no evidence of a horse burial.
A Sepa spokesman said: “Sepa is aware of complaints regarding the burial of a horse in close proximity to a water supply at Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre in Falkirk. Sepa officers visited the site on Monday, November 10 to investigate these claims, however, no evidence of a horse burial was identified.
“Another investigation was carried out on Tuesday in response to further complaints and the remains of one horse has now been identified in a field adjacent to the equestrian centre.
“Sepa officers have instructed the centre, as the owner of the horse, to remove the remains immediately and centre staff have been advised on the correct methods of disposal.
“From inspection, there does not seem to be any impact on the water supply at Kingsbarn Equestrian Centre as a result of this burial.”
Police Scotland visited the centre but confirmed no criminality had taken place at this stage.