Pony charity 'hanging by teeth' after bank issue

An animal sanctuary said it feared for its survival after its bank accounts were unexpectedly closed.

Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue in Colyton, Devon, said Lloyds Bank asked for information about trustees which it shared. However, after a card payment failed it was told the accounts had been shut completely because it had not responded to emails, which the charity disputed.

Charity administration assistant Mickey Killick said it was left "hanging on by our teeth" and wondering how it would afford to care for its 64 ponies.

Lloyds apologised and said it had "to follow specific regulatory standards when confirming how accounts are operated" but confirmed the accounts were now "back up".

The charity said it was "shocked", adding it had banked with Lloyds for 12 years, had never been overdrawn and had money in all three of its accounts with the bank.

Killick said: "We're pretty terrified... We have 64 mini Shetland ponies that we have to pay vet bills for on a weekly basis.

"There's trimming, there's dental work - all these things are necessary things that have to happen every week.

"And that's not to say about food, the people that are self-employed that assist us that we have to pay, suppliers; the list goes on.

"There's so many things that go into this charity to keep it running... we're so shocked."

Killick said the charity had tried to discuss the situation with the bank on multiple occasions but claimed it showed "no interest".

Lloyds said it was "sorry for the distress that this caused the rescue centre".

"We've now received everything we need and the rescue centre's account is back up and running," it added.

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