A WOMAN who left her horse to suffer after failing to get him treated for cancer has been banned from keeping equines for three years.

At a three-day trial held at Chester Magistrates' Court, Shirley Miller, 59, from Helsby was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to 23-year-old horse called Bradley.

She was also ordered to pay £9,850 costs and a £1,500 fine.

The court heard how Bradley had a large tumour which she failed to seek veterinary attention for - and a vet believed he was left untreated for 12 to 18 months.

Bradley's suffering was noticed on the day that Miller had loaned him to a woman to be his new owner in August last year.

The new owner realised immediately there was something wrong with the horse and a vet attended.

The vet advised the new owner to contact the RSPCA and Inspector Leanne Cragg was sent to investigate on August 15.

Insp Cragg said the vet found the cancerous tumour to be 10cm long and 8cm wide.

The tumour had been left untreated for so long that maggots were also visible. The vet said he believed Bradley had been left untreated for between 12 to 18 months and the tumour was inoperable.

Bradley was seized by the RSPCA and cared for by his new owner until a vet decided in October that he was suffering so much the kindest thing would be to put him to sleep.

Miller had denied causing unnecessary suffering by failing to seek veterinary attention and said she checked the horses daily but had no idea that Bradley had any health issues.

Insp Leanne Cragg said: "Poor Bradley must have lived in agony for at least 12 months - even urinating would have caused him horrendous pain.

"The court was of the view that any reliable and competent owner would have noticed the suffering.

"It was clear he was in discomfort and there was a horrendous smell caused by tumour and maggots had infested it, which must have been almost unbearable for him.

"After hearing from expert veterinary witnesses the district judge was satisfied Miller would have known about the health issue."

Bradley was seized by the RSPCA and was cared for by his new owner until a vet decided in October he was suffering so much the kindest thing would be to put him to sleep.

The ban on Miller keeping equines has been suspended for six weeks so that she can make arrangements for her other eight horses currently in her care.