A primary school teacher, previously dismissed from her career due to her appearance in a viral video where she was seen striking a horse, held back tears as she was acquitted of an animal cruelty charge. Sarah Moulds, 39, expressed her criticism of the RSPCA, asserting that their attempt to prosecute her was unsuccessful. The charge related to her striking a grey pony named Bruce Almighty, which she owned. The footage, shared by the Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs campaign group, depicted her hitting and kicking the horse on November 6, 2021. Moulds subsequently lost her job as a primary school teacher.
A jury consisting of 11 men and one woman found Moulds not guilty of animal cruelty after more than five hours of deliberation during a three-day trial at Lincoln Crown Court. Outside the courtroom, Moulds, surrounded by tearful friends and family, criticized the RSPCA for their lack of engagement with her case. She stated that their case would have fallen apart had they assessed Bruce sooner after the incident. Moulds claimed that the RSPCA’s decision to prosecute her was politically influenced and aimed at appeasing online pressure. She lamented that their actions had consumed substantial public donations for a politically charged case.
Moulds also condemned the trial by social media that she endured, asserting that her life had been unfairly tarnished by false perceptions. She emphasized that the damaging effects from the past 20 months are irreversible. Her career was compromised, and she received death threats along with her children. Moulds mentioned that her family’s life had been turned upside down based on misrepresentations.
Expressing gratitude to those who supported her throughout the ordeal, she highlighted the importance of understanding that online platforms often present a fragmented version of the truth. While she felt vindicated by the jury’s verdict, she acknowledged that the damage inflicted by the trial by social media is lasting. She expressed her desire to rebuild her life and move forward.
Moulds’ emotional statement illuminated the challenges of navigating the digital age where misinformation spreads quickly, leading to hasty judgments that can severely impact innocent individuals. She emphasized the importance of responsible social media use and refraining from making conclusions without knowing the complete story. Moulds’ case underscored the complexities of modern communication and the lasting consequences of online judgmen