A horse trader has been fined over £4,000 for selling an unfit horse.
Samantha Atkins, of Broughton in Cheshire, was fined a total of £4,115 by Haverfordwest magistrates on Monday for selling a horse unfit to be ridden to a Pembrokeshire woman.
The case was taken to court by Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection division.
The court heard that the horse, which was bought for £2,500, had been advertised as a 'Safe Sensible Perfect Horse', with no vices or faults.
However, on delivery, it was found to be badly lame. A veterinary investigation revealed it had severe chronic laminitis and in the vet's opinion the animal's condition was longstanding and incurable. So severe was the condition that the horse had to be put down.
A complaint was made to Pembrokeshire County Council's animal health and welfare team, who brought proceedings under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 for selling a falsely described horse.
During the investigation, the council discovered that the trader, Ms Samantha Atkins was selling horses on a large scale.
Ms Atkins pleaded guilty to all charges and was ordered by the magistrates to pay a fine of £400, costs of £1,200 were awarded, along with a compensation order of £2,500 and a £15 victim surcharge.