UK NEWS

BID TO SAVE HORSES 'LEFT TO DIE'

Rescued animals are being treated after their ordeal

Wednesday January 9,2008

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Scores of horses are being cared for following a massive rescue operation after animals were "left to die".

They were found in a field with more than 30 other dead animals, the RSPCA said. It found 31 dead horses, ponies and donkeys when it was called to the site in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, over the weekend.

Animal welfare workers removed 14 animals immediately and three more were in such a poor condition they had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice.

On Tuesday an operation to remove the 84 surviving horses took place. The RSPCA said later that all the horses had been removed and were being cared for. Neighbours said that they believed the animals to be part of the stock belonging to a local horse trader.

The horses were being taken to sanctuaries by the RSPCA, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the International League for the Protection of Horses.

A spokeswoman for Redwings Horse Sanctuary said: "Redwings Horse Sanctuary has travelled to rescues on many occasions but rarely sees cruelty so far advanced that equines are seemingly forgotten and literally left to die."

The British Horse Society's Welfare Senior Executive Lee Hackett said: "Mistreatment on this scale is unprecedented in Britain - the true horror of the situation is only now becoming clear."

The Horse Trust is looking after many of the worst affected animals at The Home of Rest for Horses sanctuary in Speen, Berkshire.

Over the weekend they took in 10 young colts and geldings and one blind dun mare. They are also caring for three donkeys including a six-month-old foal. Another 17 animals, said to be in a less serious condition, arrived yesterday.

Thames Valley Police said a man arrested on separate police charges would appear before Aylesbury magistrates on Monday. James Gray, 44, from Amersham, was charged with criminal damage and assault on a police officer and released on bail, a spokesman said. Police would not confirm Gray's connection with the operation.

HORRENDOUS CRUELTY

10.01.08, 1:56pm

How was this man allowed to get away with this. The new welfare act should have allowed the RSPCA to take action sooner if it is true they were aware of the situation. The animal protection laws in this country are a joke. Those organisations involved are now desperate for donations in order to help meet the cost of the rehabilitation required, this mans property should be sold and the funds used to meet their costs on getting these horses well again. It will be interesting to see how many stolen horses are amongst them.

• Posted by: horse_lover • Report Comment

PUNISH THE TRAVELLER OWNER FOR CRUELTY? I DOUBT IT!

10.01.08, 1:04pm

I doubt if the owner of these horses, an ex traveller will face much punishment for these hideous crimes against these horses for the simply reason, he belongs to a minority group. You see, we in this pathetic politically correct country, now give priority, allowances and show unbalanced appeasement to any minority group. Its a fact and we read examples of this appeasement every day, yet if he was from the ordinary indigenous population the law would throw the book at him for this treatment of these poor horses.

• Posted by: steveg • Report Comment

ANIMAL CRUELTY

10.01.08, 11:44am

Apparently, local residents had informed the authorities about these pykies and the way the animals were treated.

I hope these low lifes get the book thrown at them.

• Posted by: Zeigfreid • Report Comment

CRUELTY

10.01.08, 11:02am

It's difficult to contemplate what sort of person would treat living creatures like this. I hope he gets everything in the book thrown at him.
But why, if these animals were kept in a field, didn't anybody notice their condition before? Don't the authorities check on places like this as a matter of course?

• Posted by: gimleteye7 • Report Comment