Hillside Animal Sanctuary show their investigation into Horse Cruelty on Sky News 19t

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Penks

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Looks like it will be traumatic viewing.

"Because, during the past twelve months, Hillside has given sanctuary to over 300 horses and ponies, we decided to investigate just WHAT we are saving them from. This high profile report shows what is happening to horses, ponies and donkeys when nobody wants them. Having seen our evidence, an independent horse welfare expert has described it as the worst he has seen in his career. This traumatic investigation, which spanned over two months, is scheduled to be broadcast tomorrow. We would like to thank everybody who has supported us and helped to make this exposure possible."

Investigation being shown on the hour from 6am on Sky News on 19th January.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=470298823033027&set=a.137271699669076.27083.135561519840094&type=1&theater

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It is an investigation BY Hillside. Distressing findings that don't completely surprise me. With some knowledge of the industry. Usual excuses... It was a 'one off' blah blah
 
I watched some unhandled ponies go through Llanybydder and did wonder how do they would actually put those horses down. They had just been dragged off the hillside and herded about. No way would they just stand there. :(

Well done Hillside.

I don't have Sky so will have to wait for someone to report on it.
 
I'll post the link.
It's quite upsetting so don't open it unless you really want to know

http://news.sky.com/story/1040057/horse-abattoir-film-reveals-welfare-breaches

Really hope something comes of this investigation :(

Having seen how upset my boys were when a herd of geese across from them was shot (they were fine with the guns it was the sadness after that i could feel from them) last week I can only begin to imagine how horrific these places must be for animals. Poor animals.
 
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i read it that way at first too patterdale

this for me just adds more weight that in the current climate people should pts their horses if they cannot keep them anymore,
 
RebelRebel said:
I watched some unhandled ponies go through Llanybydder and did wonder how do they would actually put those horses down.
.......
Click to expand...

When it's done properly, it isn't actually that difficult. Handled quietly and calmly, they would be gently herded into a shooting box, and the end would be instantaneous. They have no idea what's going on, and stand wide eyed and wondering, often watching the gun as it approaches their head.

Again, when approached in a peaceful and calm manner, by competent slaughtermen, it isn't as awful as it sounds.

Alec.
 
Just as a matter of interest, have any of you ever seen the state of some of the animals at Hillside Sanctuary? Go and look for yourselves, and you may come away with a differing viewpoint!

There is never any valid excuse for neglect or cruelty, but this is nothing more than a fund raising drive by Hillside and The Mirror. ;)

Alec.
 
I've just watched this and its disgraceful, every living thing deserves dignity right up to the end, the pictures show a massacre which must have been a terrible ordeal for these poor animals. I have nothing against slaughter but it must be humane, not carnage, well done for bringing this to the attention of the public. I know the slaughter house in question has since had its licence revoked and some slaughtermen are under investigation, but please!!!!! these places need someone to oversee the way animals - not just horses are treated, they are living breathing creatures with feelings and as such deserve respect and sympathy at their end, not this - shamefull and very distressing.
 
tweedette said:
I've just watched this and its disgraceful, every living thing deserves dignity right up to the end,.......
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If what you say is right, then there is no place for barbarity, and a humane system should be installed.

I don't have Sky, so if it appears on youtube, can someone head this computer-incompetant towards it, please?

Alec.
 
If you can't see the footage, there is a list of some of the major problems here: http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/information/latest-news?view=show&content_id=5403

There is also a list of reasons why slaughterhouses should have CCTV installed, and a petition to sign to that effect.

It is grim viewing. I support humane slaughter, it's important that we have that option - but that is not what this is, not at all.
 
Just watched the sky report. Looks like a horrible place and when you compare it to a video of potters it's in a different legue. I do hope that it dosent spark any silly "ban horse slaughter" outcrys though as it is an essential job. At potters they will occasionally take a couple of Unhandled ponies in together but the facilities are completely different, and sometimes splitting up these animals is more stressful.
 
Sorry for the confusion, I realised last night after I posted it that the title could be misleading but I didn't know how to change it? any suggestions? I tried some online searches of the forum to try figure out how and I eventually emailed someone called The Fat Controller??? last night and asked them to change the title but Im still not sure if thats how you do it.
 
Splitting them up for a few seconds while the deed is done may be stressfull, but (yes there is always a but) far less stressful than seeing and witnessing the pony/horse at its side being killed. Dignity & Respect for life has flown out of the window , live animals are not meat , they may be going for meat, but empathy for them doesnt cost money or time in the long run, If this is the end for them, make is as stressfree and humane as possible.
 
Alec Swan said:
Just as a matter of interest, have any of you ever seen the state of some of the animals at Hillside Sanctuary? Go and look for yourselves, and you may come away with a differing viewpoint!

There is never any valid excuse for neglect or cruelty, but this is nothing more than a fund raising drive by Hillside and The Mirror. ;)

Alec.
Click to expand...

Hillside are definitely on a fundraising campaign - they are piping on about 1 racehorse they managed to buy when bidding against the meat man, they really do need to get real - what is to happen to the mass of horses sold at auction every week?? My friend recently died leaving 4 horses behind and no means to secure there future, EVERY charity has turned them away due to been full and bursting with animals - I must ring Hillside!!
 
sophspot said:
http://news.sky.com/story/1040057/horse-abattoir-film-reveals-welfare-breaches.
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Thank you sophshot. There are aspects of that which are nothing short of a disgrace.

With there being an ever growing need for equine abattoirs, with film such as that, those who would oppose slaughter are being fed all the evidence that they need. I knew of the existence of that abattoir, and now if it's shut down, which it deserves to be, then there will only be 2 remaining in this country.

I didn't watch the whole of the film, I may do later, but was anyone present from the State Veterinary Service, or the Meat Hygiene Service, were there ANY inspectors present at the time of slaughter?

I'm generally opposed to the Big Brother approach of cameras being in place, but how anyone can argue against them, seeing that film, is beyond me.

I would be surprised to hear that the film footage, illegally filmed I suspect, could be used in a Court of law, which is a pity. Prosecution should follow. Were there any prosecutions following the expose at Cheales?

Alec.
 
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I have to say I did not have the stomach to watch the film. I saw the link on Facebook earlier and read the article. I am glad Alec you agree it is horrendous as you obviously have true experience of animals being destroyed. NO animal deserves to spend it's last moments distressed, terrifed and in pain - this is what the article suggests.

Maybe it's just me, but I have to say the thought of horses going through this really turns my stomach. Hence, rightly or wrongly I can't watch he footage as these images tend to stay with me too longand I do find it distressing. I guess it's because when you are close to these animals every day you see them as more than just an animal/piece of meat.
 
I do not wish to look as too upsetting.

However, as soft as I am I have worked closely in the Meat Processing world before that included Cattle and Sheep and have always felt it was very humane and the animals welfare was always a first, from transport to the end. All regulations adhered to including daily attendance of Meat Inspectors and Vets accordingly. I know that Abattoirs need to keep their stock as stress free as possible, they have appropriate areas and a routine of how they are fed through the stages of stunning and killing.

I know many Slaughter men, and all do a grand job, not for the faint hearted but they make it as quick and stress free as possible for the animal.

Disgusting that people can treat animals like this.
 
I tried to email RSPCA unsuccessfully but will try to find out how many successful prosecutions there are. Looking at their accounts most of their money seems to be diverted to smaller animals and yes they too as probably all charities hit by the recession. Their income has fallen. I will write in the old fashioned way probably.

But I just looked up Hillside.Some good work being done.

Its so easy to armchair and "diss" charities but what do our useless bunch of politicians do? Anyone know? I have tried in past to work out which one is the best for equines but as there are quite a few very unsure!

I suppose the thing to do is if you can donate is send a donation to them small or large. RSPCA do take ink cartridges as do BHS(check which ones) I started doing this a long time ago. Its free to post.
http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/supportus/recycling/details/-/article/TheRecyclingFactory
 
Sorry poster above but I for one will NOT give a dime to the RSPCA. As usual they've started bleating about "animal cruelty" far too late in the day, especially when horses are concerned. Where FFS why weren't they there in the first place to prevent it?

Oh, sorry, stoopid question, of course, they were out snooping around the countryside looking for some poor fox to rescue.
 
The news report said Rspca would be INVESTIGATING, which doesn't give much away.

I have mixed feelings about Hillside, but
 
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