BRITAIN'S leading animal welfare organisation has claimed that two Hampshire women convicted of cruelty should have been banned from keeping horses for life.

RSPCA officials spoke out yesterday after Debra Green, 41, and her daughter Michelle, 19, were disqualified from keeping horses and ponies for ten years.

The women were also ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work - the largest number that can be imposed by magistrates.

The pair, both of Lime Kiln Lane, Holbury, were told the high total reflected how close they had come to being sent to prison.

They could have been jailed for six months after being convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to two New Forest ponies.

Alfie and Filly were found lying in a sea of mud in an overcrowded field at Scallows Lane, West Wellow, in December 2006 and had to be destroyed on humanitarian grounds. They were among the victims of a bacterial infection that struck a herd of almost 40 horses and ponies, New Forest magistrates were told.

During a four-day trial, Jeremy Cave, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said 17 horses had to be shot and another 12 had already died.

The case was adjourned until yesterday for pre-sentence reports to be drawn up. Matthew Knight, prosecuting, said Alfie and Filly were "barely alive" when they were found lying in what one RSPCA inspector had described as a quagmire.

Clive Rees, in mitigation, said the two defendants had received threatening letters as a result of publicity surrounding the trial.

He added that Debra Green, who works in a shop, had been suspended on full pay for her own safety and that of her customers.

Referring to the defendants' treatment of their horses Mr Rees said: "This was not a deliberate act of cruelty but a miscalculation over a relatively short period of time. The bacterial infection was completely unexpected and struck with terrifying ferocity. The Greens called in the vet straight away and, as far as they could, acted on his advice."

Magistrate Margaret Hill told the defendants: "Alfie and Filly's suffering was not caused by any malicious or intentional act but you neglected to take proper care of your animals.

"You ignored warnings from the RSPCA and did not seek appropriate care soon enough.

"We do not believe the threshold for a custodial sentence has been reached. However, you will each complete 300 hours of unpaid work, which reflects how seriously we view these matters."

The defendants, who denied the offences, were each ordered to pay £2,500 towards the prosecution costs.

RSPCA chief inspector Robbie Roberts welcomed the ten-year ban but felt they should have been disqualified for life.

And RSPCA inspector Clare Crowther added: "These ponies were caused suffering due to some of the worst living conditions I have come across."

Chief Insp Roberts said several horses thought to be owned by other members of the Green family were being kept under observation.

For previous stories, click the links below.