10/01/2008

Horse Cruelty Shock

An appalling animal cruelty case has shocked the UK this week with the discovery of over 80 neglected horses being found in a field with more than 30 other dead animals.

The RSPCA found 31 dead horses, ponies and donkeys when they were called to the site in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, where they discovered that the animals had been neglected and left where their bodies had fallen.

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

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 84 surviving horses are being taken to sanctuaries by the RSPCA, whose spokeswoman said it was likely that the charity would seek a prosecution of the horses' owner.

The field where the horses were being kept is on Chalk Lane in Hyde Heath just outside Amersham.

Thames Valley Police said that a man was arrested on separate police charges and is due to appear before Aylesbury magistrates on Monday.

He has been named as James Gray, 44, from Amersham, and although he was arrested and later bailed on separate charges of criminal damage and assault on a police officer, a spokesman wouldn't confirm any connection with the animal cruelty investigation.

It is belived the horses had been bought for as little as £1 each and were destined for a foreign slaughterhouse.

(BMcC)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 October 2013
Dog Owner Avoids Jail Over Teens' Death
A dog owner has received a 16-week suspended sentence over animal cruelty offences. Four dogs, owned by 45-year-old Beverley Concannon, attacked and killed 14-year-old Jade Anderson in March this year. Concannon admitted causing suffering to the dogs, which the judge said contributed to their state.
08 May 2009
Dealers Guilty Of Horse Neglect Charges
Five people have been found guilty of neglecting more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys on a Buckinghamshire farm. Horse dealer James John Gray, 45 and his son James Gray Junior,16, were both found guilty of 11 charges under sections 4 and 9 of Animal Welfare Act following a 12-week trial, brought by the RSPCA.
24 April 2012
RSPCA Reveal Rise In Animal Cruelty Convictions
The RSPCA has said the number of convictions over animal cruelty and neglect has risen by nearly a quarter in the last year. However the animal charity has also said the number of new cases has lead to a funding crisis. Some of the new cases included a dog stabbed repeatedly with a potato peeler and a blind kitten found dumped in a carrier bag.
09 April 2010
Youths Arrested For Animal Cruelty
Five Salisbury youths have been released on police bail after being questioned about the brutal killing of a duckling. At around 7pm on Tuesday police responded to reports from the public that a group of teenage boys were abusing a duckling in the area of Crane Street near to the bridge.
12 January 2007
'Fat dog' owners found guilty of animal cruelty
Two brothers who allowed their pet Labrador to become "grossly" overweight have been found guilty of animal cruelty. Derek and David Benton, aged 62 and 53 respectively, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to nine-year-old Rusty by providing an inappropriate diet.