250 Starving horses in Bridgend

[AmyMay]

I'm friends with an RSPCA inspector and actually things have to be bad before the police will agree to help take the animals - they're also frustrated by this and would like to intervene sooner but they're not allowed. They have to be seen to work with the owners first to improve the animal's welfare and then if that fails and the situation becomes critical they can then get police support.

I simply don't believe this - I'm sorry. The police will (in most circumstances) follow welfare and veterinary advice. If veterinary advice is that action needs to be taken - then the police will very rarely question it.

 

[competitiondiva]

I simply don't believe this - I'm sorry. The police will (in most circumstances) follow welfare and veterinary advice. If veterinary advice is that action needs to be taken - then the police will very rarely question it.

This is the problem, veterinary support isn't always forthcoming, take the carrot and spud incident, the vet that attended initially with the rspca said they were just old horses and wouldn't support on neglect, therefore unable to be removed. If the inspector doesn't agree with a vet, as part of a case, unless they are going to go to an expert, they cannot just get another vets view, as this could be seen as 'fishing', and could result in a case being thrown out. My point being that there is alot of red tape and politics involved, things are never black and white.

 

[liz51]

It's more likely going to be red tape, and the finances that hold up anything rather than them not pulling their finger out!! When you think that the amersham conviction regarding over 100 horses cost I believe 4 million over the course of the case, you can imagine the potential cost of this situation, plus it's not localised to this area, it is the same across the country in various pockets!

Lets put the records straight!!! This problem in Bridgend was bought to the attention of the public/media by the SWHP through its Facebook Page It has never said that there were 250 starving horses, it has never asked for donations. Initially they did ask people to contact them so animals could be rehomed because they were in discussion with the owner, who had agreed to hand over some of the animals!!! Unfortunately all the media hype and public outcry has made him change his mind and now he is flatly refusing to work with the SWHP.

The SWHP has never said that it is a Bridgend problem, from the outset it has said this is a National problem as it has received reports of people concern about Gypsy horses from all over the Country!!! The SWHP has been trying its hardest to meet with the Police, MP's, Defra, local authorities etc to try and find a copuntrywide solution but this will be ongoing. The SWHP is a very small organisation compared to the 'big boys' of the animal welfare world who are much better placed to start this campaign and move it forward. The RSPCA have been called to the Bridgend ponies and have been involved for months. They helped the owner chose which were the poorest to be moved to sheds in the Vale of Glam!!!! Out of sight!!!!!

This is a very sad situation and will be ongoing unless the authorities uphold the law and demand to see passports for all Gypsy owned horses. At the moment they are turning a blind eye probably because of lack of finance and facilities to hold the animals in once remove. Any moment now all the mares will produce another foal and so it goes on. Thank god we have an organisation ready and willing to step in where others fear to tread!!!

The SWHP will go on removing any animal deemed to be caused unnecessary suffering. They don't need camera's filming, they don't need to report every animal rescued to the press so that people send them money. They fundraise through a great band of people who organise events and keep the charity afloat!!! They do not waste money because they don't have enough to waste, at the moment they have over 20 colts to castrate - maybe the RSPCA would like to contribute to that. In Wales the RSPCA very rarely takes horses as it costs them money to do so!!! Here the RSPCA ring owners of horses to tell them they are coming!!!!

 

[horserugsnot4u]

Thanks Liz51 for informing us of the facts and I do hope the publicity and interest in this case hasn't compromised the work of the SWHP who obviously have the welfare of the horses in mind. I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say 'they are willing to help where others fear to tread'. Not that I know much about what's happening in Bridgend but time and time again we hear how the authorities 'pussy-foot' around and avoid confronting these types of people, whether it be to do with theft, neglect of animals etc and yet I've know people who have had the RSPCA round as they didn't have much grass in a large paddock, one long hot summer ago, when it was obvious the ponies were in a well-fed condition! It seems in some cases, the easy targets are approached whereas the obstructive people, who know every trick in the book appear to get away with things indefinitely. Every now and again there is a high profile case when something is done, but there are plenty of occasions when it must seem impossible to make any progress. I salute anyone who is able to do anything to help in these very difficult circumstances.