RSPCA warns on horse crisis
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has warned that the number of complaints it receives about abandoned horses has risen dramatically. The present economic circumstances and declining market for horses has led to a sharp rise in abandonments as owners and breeders can no longer afford to keep their animals. The charity had received 122 complaints by February 16th 2012, as compared to 120 for the whole of January and February the previous year.
The charity is attempting to rehome as many horses as possible, and the team dedicated for such a purpose managed to rehome 240 horses last year. However, more than 500 horses have still not been found permanent homes and are therefore being boarded on the RSPCA's behalf until such time as this is possible. Furthermore, many of the animals are subject to prosecution cases that can last for months or even years. Consequently, it can cost in excess of £5,000 to rehabilitate a confiscated pony.
Commenting on the situation, RSPCA Chief Inspector Cathy Hyde said “People who have made a living from breeding and selling horses are failing to acknowledge that the animals’ value has dropped and they keep breeding although they have nowhere to keep the horses. This situation has got to stop. We have seen some ponies sold at markets for as little as £5 and the horses change hands on multiple occasions at numerous markets and sales, repeatedly compromising their health and welfare...We are, quite honestly, struggling to keep up with what is a mounting crisis.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
