A 38-year-old man from De Kwakel (North Holland) appeard in court today for the repeated sexual abuse of a pregnant Shetland pony in Amstelveen.
According to RTL Nieuws, the man is also suspected of assaulting his dog and possessing hundreds of child pornographic images.
A disturbing pattern
The pony, a black mare named Ona, was several months pregnant when Ricardo Van Z. targeted her in a quiet meadow on Amsteldijk Zuid.
The owner reviewed CCTV footage showing Van Z. climbing the fence at night, leading the pony into a shelter, removing his pants, and staying inside for fifteen minutes. The camera didn’t capture what happened inside.
During the hearing, Van Z. expressed regret for his actions. ”It was a huge mistake on my part. It was out of unhappiness, loneliness, tension, stress, and setbacks,” he said.
He added that he had been supposed to meet a woman he met online and wanted ”to see if I was still capable of having sex.”
Psychiatric experts concluded that Van Z. suffers from a personality disorder and cannabis dependency. He was declared of diminished responsibility and in need of treatment.
More than one offence
Van Z was arrested on October 31st. The Public Prosecution Service is demanding a 15-month prison sentence, with eight months suspended, and a two-year ban on keeping animals.
At his home, police found eight recordings of the pony abuse and more than 600 child pornographic images.
”I didn’t search for child pornography. I’m not a pedophile,” he told the court. He also denies allegations of abusing his dog.
Despite a restraining order, he allegedly returned to the same meadow in April and committed another offence involving Ona.
Do you think a ban on animal ownership is enough, or should sentencing go further? Share your thoughts below.
Not ALL men but ALWAYS a man.