Stud farmer who posed as a vet for 15 years faces jail after neglected horses and dogs were put down

Bernard Wentink, 54, of Coalburn, Lanarkshire, admitted seven breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act and one of the Veterinary Surgeons Act after carrying out procedures on horses without qualifications for more than 15 years. Sheriff Derek Livingston deferred sentence until 1 December, telling Wentink: 'Uppermost in my mind is imprisonment.' Fiscal depute Katie Allen told the court the animals' poor condition would have been 'obvious to any reasonable owner.'

Scottish SPCA officers found horses standing in darkness in 'deep wet faeces', with others in a muddy field given barely any food or water.

The skeletal remains of a horse were found in the field; eight dogs in cages at his home were suffering 'widespread untreated disease and neglect.'

Despite veterinary attention after the October 2023 seizure, three dogs and a black mare had to be put down.