Joseph Cannon prosecuted for illegal farriery

Joseph Cannon of Heywood Old Road, Heywood, was found guilty of having carried out unlawful farriery at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on 15 September 2014 and fined £250 plus prosecution costs of £3811.07.

Cannon undertook farriery at a premises in Barrow Bridge, Bolton, on 9 October 2013, by shoeing the rear feet of a horse. He is neither a Registered Farrier nor an Approved Apprentice as defined in the Farriers (Registration) Act. Cannon attended Court in person and pleaded guilty to the charge.

As a regulated profession, Farriers must be registered by law under the Farriers Registration Act. Under the Act only Registered Farriers, Approved Farriery Apprentices, Veterinary Surgeons or Trainees, or persons giving first aid in an emergency situation, may practice farriery. For others to do so is a criminal offence which can result in a fine of up to £1,000, plus legal costs and a criminal record. The Farriers Registration Council (FRC) takes out private prosecutions against unregistered persons when the evidence is sufficient to do so.

A spokesperson for the FRC said: "Under the Animal Welfare Act, an owner has a duty of care to provide for the needs of their horse or pony. If they try and cut costs by using an unqualified person to attend to their horses feet and something goes wrong, causing it to suffer, then they have committed an offence and could be liable to investigation and possible prosecution. 

"Registered Farriers will normally have professional indemnity insurance but those working illegally almost certainly will not, and therefore it would be very difficult to achieve redress not only for poor workmanship but also for accidental injury and damage of any kind. Furthermore, aiding and abetting a criminal act is also an offence in law and therefore it is recommended that Mr Cannon’s clientele should cease using his services.

"Farriers must undertake an Approved Apprenticeship lasting a minimum of 3.5 years duration which puts into context the time needed to gain the necessary skills involved. They must pass an approved examination, the Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (DipWCF), which is recognised worldwide, before being registered with the FRC. It is a hard, physical but rewarding vocation, involving forging, assessing the needs of the equine, trimming, making and fitting shoes.

"It is easy to check if a farrier is registered as they are issued with an annual registration card and car window sticker. The simplest way is to ask to see a farrier’s card, or alternatively check the FRC’s website (www.farrier-reg.gov.uk) and click on ‘find a farrier’, or telephone the office on 01733 319911. Approved Apprentices are also issued with an annual registration card.

"If an owner, or anyone else, has any information regarding alleged illegal farriery activity including the possible use of an illegal assistant (i.e. not one on an Approved Apprenticeship or a Registered Farrier) please report it to the FRC. If there are any animal welfare concerns a Veterinary Surgeon, the RSPCA or SSPCA or another animal welfare organisation should be contacted."