Abandoned Horse - Update

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mollymurphy

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Right, i'm REALLY annoyed!!!
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Called the RSPCA on monday and told them about the horse. On tuesday morning, i found out the YO had managed to get hold of the owner, that she'd payed up and been given a week to find another yard. So i updated the RSPCA on this. They came out tuesday afternoon. The horse was in the field and the YO came over to see what the inspector wanted. (I wasn't there). Apparently, the YO said there wasn't a problem, and the inspector just looked at the horse in the field from a distance (it's a huge field). She agreed with the YO and said it was obviously "just a silly little girl, wanting to waste her time"!!! She never even looked at the horse properly! If that was the case, why did i leave my name and phone number for them to keep me updated?!!
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Now i know i'm no expert, but i've covered animal welfare and its legislation for my degree. And i've owned horses for seven years. I know what's right and what's wrong. And it was a VET who diagnosed all of his issues - not me! (A woman on the yard was interested in buying him a while back, so had a mini vetting done - the vet told her to stay well clear!) The fact is, that horse would be dead now if it was left down to the owner. What to the RSPCA want?! For us to leave him in his stable to dehydate and die for them to be able to do something?

Well now he's got to move off. This is the third yard (that i know of) the owner has been kicked off for not turning up. I really cant see her attitude changing now, can you?!

So what happens now? Do i just leave it? I'm really annoyed at the YO as well, for denying there is a problem.

I'm off to write an angry email to the rspca!

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Lou. x
 
Nothing changes then! At least your case is unlikely to die, when this happened to us the poor mite died a week later. The best proof is photo's & video clips, then you have something to show them.
 
I would have thought that the RSPCA has a duty to repsond to all complaints THOROUGHLY and report back to the complainant. If this hasn't been done I would contact them again. I repsond to complaints regularly (environmental) and that is certainly the case with us. I would chase them up and they should have at least given the horse a proper check.

Good luck
 
I'm sorry, but the horse clearly wasn't an RSPCA case, although I can understand your frustrations with the lack of care. And whilst not a huge fan, I doubt very much they would have referred to you as stated.

As I said previously the YO also has a duty of care to the animals on his land, and may not have been aware of that. Also as it was only the YO and RSPCA officer you have no idea what the real conversation was about.

In many ways it is sad that the horse has to move, because at least where he is he is receiving some care.
 
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I'm sorry, but the horse clearly wasn't an RSPCA case
And whilst not a huge fan, I doubt very much they would have referred to you as stated.

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I'm sorry, i can see what you're saying, but I completely disagree. I know for a fact he is.

So if we all just left our horses in the stable without ever feeding, watering or mucking out, that would be ok?! He's only alive because people intervened. Should we not have done this?!

And i spoke to the YO this morning and he told me what conversation they had and quoted how the inspector referred to the caller (the YO doesn't know it was me who called).

Lou. x
 
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What to the RSPCA want?! For us to leave him in his stable to dehydate and die for them to be able to do something?

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Thats exactly what they want I was told this by an RSPCA officer
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Thats exactly what they want I was told this by an RSPCA officer
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Typical!!! I couldn't do that though. I knew that was the case with the old law, but with this new animal welfare act, i thought they could do more?

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Lou. x
 
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So if we all just left our horses in the stable without ever feeding, watering or mucking out, that would be ok?! He's only alive because people intervened.

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And then he would have been an RSPCA case.

Abandonment of this horse at your yard does not automatically qualify it for being removed by the 'authorities'. When a horse is kept at a livery yard the YO becomes partly responsible for the care of the animals. If the owners of this horse were not paying for it nor visiting it then it was the YO's responsibility to ensure that it's basic needs were met. How he then resolves the matter with the owners is then up to him - whether he wants to go down the legal route, or just keep on looking after the animal ad infernitem is up to him. But bottom line is he must ensure that animals welfare is taken care of.

Situations like this arise because so many YO's are not aware of what their responsibilities ultimately are. Have shoddy business practices, and rather than take control, let people like you become involved both financially and emotionally.

I am not trying to pick a fight as you have obviously been very worried about the horse.

I would now phone the RSPCA and ask for some feedback.
 
Oh no, i'm not trying to pick a fight either! I'm just really worried about what will happen to him when he moves. I'd rather the owner had him pts instead of moving yards and carrying on with what she does. I am quite a 'hard' person when it comes to becoming emotionally involved, but this has pi**ed me right off! I just dont understand why she's kept him?!

Anyhoo's, i've been in touch with the rspca and am awaiting a reply. They could have at least checked him over properly - i'd have understood a bit more then.

As for the YO's, they're not at all horsey - working farmers who obviously haven't done much research. They ARE lovely though.

Thank you for you input though.

Lou. x
 
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As for the YO's, they're not at all horsey - working farmers who obviously haven't done much research

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Absolutely irrelevant - they still should know what's going on on their property. And will certainly know whether an animal is being properly looked after or not.

Why not offer the owner some money for the horse - give it a nice summer and then PTS??
 
I used to pay a monthly 'donation' to the RSPCA, when they started to spend mahoosive amounts on their 'campaign' to ban hunting I stopped it and told them that I thought their resources could be better used.. never got a reply.
 
Believe me, i'd love to. But i already have 3 of my own and couldn't afford livery for a fourth - i'm at uni and i'm poor!!
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I need to win the lottery!
I'll speak to her when she comes to take him - tell her what's gone on and maybe she should give him up if she's got no intention of changing her ways.

Lou. x
 
I think personally you will be fighting a loosing battle with the RSPCA unless its nearly dead or about to die they are generally not interested. They seem to be getting worse as the years go on. I was interested in working for them at one point but would never do it now. RSPCA are more small animal orientated also. have you tried speaking to the ILPH do not really know if they will do anything but they will advise you best. Good luck and hope the horsey is ok and comes to the right caring owner it deserves.
 
Dont get me started on the RSPCA.

As for them investigating thoroughly, well Ive never seen it!
My friend called them a few weeks ago because outside the office where she works there are always gypsy horses roaming free, ove the roads, into car parks, they look REALLY bad, they arent tethered or anything, look full of worms, some are only young too. Well the RSPCA man came out, didnt even get out of his van, just sat there for 20mins then left. Needless to say they arent going to do anything, but what about when someone is injured when they hit oneof these horses with thier car?

Someone has t take responsibility and to the every day person the RSPCA is the logical choice when the matter concerns animals. Some of us know thats not the case because the RSPCA only act in very extreme circumstances, usually when the animal is nearly dead.

Personally I think you have more luck p*ssing up a wall.


Anyway! What about contcting a local horse rescue or charity in your area who may take him?
 
But to be honest - isn't that what the RSPCA are there for? To pull all their resources together for animals who REALLY need help? Not ones who are a little on the thin side but are still being cared for?

I maybe have a different concept of what all these rescues centres are about - I thought they were about "rescuing" animals from death.....not from being a little thin or not having seen their owners for a while?
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Well in the instance you have cited; I would say that the first port of call should be the local council; not the RSPCA.
 
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Well in the instance you have cited; I would say that the first port of call should be the local council; not the RSPCA.

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Ditto Tia, unfortunately many people see that because an animal is involved then it MUST be an RSPCA case, although we know this isnt the case!
Cases like that that clearly Aren't RSPCA cases are probably why their resources are stretched to the limit and thus affecting their crapness levels.
 
It sounds very frustrating
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.......the horse is most probably going to end up in the same situation(out of sight out of mind)
I can see the point of the RSPCA seeing the horse in ok condition and not doing anything about it.........however they need to listen to your concerns to prevent the horse ending up in the same predicament. After all they are supposed to prevent cruelty, and a word in the ear of the owner to let her know they are aware of the horses previous situation would be of some help.

I agree with the above post the RSPCA are s*ite, they only deal in cruelty that gets them big publicity response, and the YO is just probably relieved to get the money he is owed.
 
I've known RSPCA officer turn up in a similar situation and go away without really seeing the animal, which was in a pitiful state, because the yard owner was domineering and quite posh & convincing. Horse didn't last long & had a miserable life - thank god you are trying to do something. Might be worth trying the ILPH, especially given the change in law today.
 
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their crapness levels

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I think their crapness levels are effected by the restraints in legislation tbh - as well as many other things.

What we need in this country is organisations like Animal Cops Huston, and the Pheonix Humane Society.

You call - they come - they act. Simple!
 
You are far better off contacting the ILPH in cases of horse welfare issues as they understand horse issues far better. Even if the case is not critical they will speak to the owner and give them advice on looking after their horses and come back and check at a later date.

This is why the BHS want all yards to be licenced so that people can not just set up livery yards even if they have no understanding of horse welfare issues or don't care less.

We are getting more and more problems with horses being neglected at livery yards and the problem is likely to become worse.
 
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Animal Cops Huston

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Oh my!! Aren't they just AMAZING down there in Houston!!! My goodness they have never-ending powers and do the job effectively and efficiently without any if's or but's.

I watch this programme all the time and I have to say though, they are dealing with REAL rescue cases! I think "rescue case" is such a well banded about term and a lot of what I see on here are not in fact true rescue cases. Come visit me - we'd hardly have to travel further than 10 miles to see LOTS of real horror cases.
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Tia, I am adicted. I only started watching recently - but because they ACTUALLY do something can bear it.

There are some wonderful, heartwarming stories on there - and some real absolute tragedies. But at least they act .
 
Have you seen the one with the horse with the hole right through it's neck? Now THAT was amazing!
 
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Have you seen the one with the horse with the hole right through it's neck? Now THAT was amazing!

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No I don't think i've seen that one - yet...
 
Believe me AMY they are pretty useless......We deal with them on a constant basis......basically it is the RSPCA job to attend /or give the person finding an injured animal instructions to take the animal to a vet......whereby the RSPCA have to rightfully foot the bill, if the animal has no owner.......instead they try to tell people that the vets will pay and it is not there problem.....or phone the police.....when it has absoloutley bog all to do with the police.

We get some very frustrated people phoning to say the RSPCA have told them to spray a cat with water to deter it from there garden......even though it is clearly injured.

A friend of mine found a greyhound haning from a bridge......she phoned the RSPCA and they said there was nothing they could do..........she said it needed to be investigated and they sai that would be impossible.......my friend cut the dog down herself(nice) and phoned the National greyhound register and quoted its tatoo number, they traced the previous owner who sold the dog onto kids, who hung it.
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She had those responsible imprisoned with legal help, help from the police and her own investigation work asking for information.
The RSPCA wanted to publisise this as there case and she refused and instead took the chance to slate the RSPCA for there lack of co-operation
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