Poppet: A horrid story be ready

Ladyinred

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I know someone else in Kent who had a very similar experience. She too took the pony home as the only option and was left paying the bill after the RSPCA opted out. As in this case, she phoned and phoned and had no response. Eventually the poor little mite was homed with a sanctuary, but it took a while.
 

ShadowHunter

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That poor poor boy, hoping everything turns out okay for him. Keep us updated.
The RSPCA are nothing but useless, so many cases where they've decided not to help. Poppet is better off with your friend or at least another charity that will actually bother with him.

Personally, i would keep him if i found him but then again, im soft like that.
 

CBFan

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... and yet they go and fine people and remove some (Not all) of their animals who are undergoing veterinary treatment (with vets in regular attendance) on the grounds that they are being neglected...

it beggars belief!! Same county as this too. Shocking!

Poor ******. Nose looks sunburnt.
 

OWLIE185

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I would suggest that your friend immediately and without any delay contact the Welfare Department of the British Horse Society who will be only to pleased to assist her.

www.bhs.org.uk

The British Horse Society and our volunteers work hard to promote the prevention of cruelty, neglect or harm to horses and to the relief, safety, sanctuary, rescue and welfare of horses in need of care, attention and assistance. We want a world where every horse is properly protected and cared for.

Reporting a welfare concern

Our team of over 200 volunteer Welfare Officers are spread throughout the UK and can investigate reports of equine welfare concerns.

There are many reasons why a horse or pony should be reported to us. These include:
•Significantly underweight or overweight animals
•Lack of water or food
•Overgrown or poorly-kept hooves
•Obviously untreated injury or disease
•Poisonous plants in the field
•Unsafe field or stable conditions
•Abandoned animals
•Incorrect tethering.

For genuine concerns contact us on 02476 840517 or email welfare@bhs.org.uk.

For out-of-hours emergencies call 02476 840570 and then call the mobile phone number given in the answer-phone message. Please note that this number is only for genuine emergencies that cannot wait until the office is open.

The information we need to be able to act includes:
•The nature of the problem
•Horse(s) details – number, colour, gender (where known), age (where known)
•Owners details (where known)
•The location of the horses. The more information you can give us the better; a postcode is ideal. Even if the precise address is known, please try to give additional local information such as nearby main roads and landmarks.
•Your contact details (a telephone number on which we can reach you). We guarantee that your details will remain absolutely confidential and under no circumstances will they be passed on to the owner of the horse(s).

We can provide you with feedback once our Welfare Officer has paid the horse a visit. If you are not sure whether a particular horse needs to be reported, do not hesitate to contact us and we will discuss the case with you before we ask a Welfare Officer to visit the horse(s) involved.

If you’d like to help us protect horses and you feel you have the right skills, experience and knowledge, find out more about becoming a volunteer Welfare Officer.

We can only continue our welfare work if we have the funds to do so. If you would like to make a donation to the BHS or join us, just follow the links.
 

spike123

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I can't believe someone would do that to him. Poor Poppet. My friend came across a similar situation but unfortunately the foal was already dead, also in Kent nearer to Ashford than Maidstone though. I was contacted by a reporter via fb who was interested in running the story on him so if you do wish to go via the press route let me know and I will see if I can put you in touch with her.
 

3OldPonies

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RSPCA are just useless. Well done for helping this poor little fella out.

If I were you I'd go to the press and the local council as well as the police. Flytipping is an offence, and they may well be able to locate the tipper, or place the waste came from, by digging through it. An article in the paper may well trigger the RSCPA into action, and could even help out in terms of people offering help for treatment while they get their ars3s in gear.

Whatever happens, keep us all posted - hoping very much for a happy outcome.
 
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Hi All,

I am the aforementioned friend. Poppet is hanging on next 2 weeks will be touch and go for him. The burn on his nose is a sign of liver damage. The RSPCA have paid for initial vet pain relief and a blood test to indicate he has a chance of life.... That's just what we will give him! Newnham Court Vets (thanks Tegan and Peter) have been amazing! I was however perplexed by the following reply in regards to putting his story on Horse and Hound FB page given aren't we all horse lovers;

Well done on acting to help this little pony, but I'm afraid we can't ask our facebook fans to donate to help cover his costs. Have you tried contacting World Horse Welfare about the situation you are facing? They may be able to offer some advice or assistance and are sometimes better placed to help with equine welfare cases than the RSPCA.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts - truly amazing (and of course thanks to my friend, Suki)
 

Moomin1

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Hi All,

I am the aforementioned friend. Poppet is hanging on next 2 weeks will be touch and go for him. The burn on his nose is a sign of liver damage. The RSPCA have paid for initial vet pain relief and a blood test to indicate he has a chance of life.... That's just what we will give him! Newnham Court Vets (thanks Tegan and Peter) have been amazing! I was however perplexed by the following reply in regards to putting his story on Horse and Hound FB page given aren't we all horse lovers;

Well done on acting to help this little pony, but I'm afraid we can't ask our facebook fans to donate to help cover his costs. Have you tried contacting World Horse Welfare about the situation you are facing? They may be able to offer some advice or assistance and are sometimes better placed to help with equine welfare cases than the RSPCA.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts - truly amazing (and of course thanks to my friend, Suki)

So in actual fact, the RSPCA HAVE PAID FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT! :rolleyes:

Can I also just add that the vet who suggested that nobody does anything until an RSPCA vet attends is seriously negligent and misguided. Inspectors are not vets. The RSPCA does not send vets of their 'own' out to incidents, they call local vets to go out. That vet who was called should have attended immediately if the horse was in such a desperate state.
 
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Hexx

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NAME AND SHAME!!!

Definitely go to the papers and report it to the Police. Also, keep all the details of who you called, when they came out, what they said and did. If the papers do report this, you will probably find them on your doorstep wanting to take the pony and make it a "good news story" for themselves.


Good luck with Poppet, I hope he is feeling better soon.
 

MillyMoomie

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This weird. I personally know of at least 5 abandoned foals that have come from Kent/Sussex areas that are currently on 24 hour care in RSPCA boarding. Why would they not act on this one but the others?

I have contacted a Kent inspector to ask for the story myself. The situation the OP described just doesn't happen. The RSPCA are literally picking up hundreds of dumped horses every month.

Plus Moomin is correct, the RSPCA don't have 'RSPCA vets', there are just vets... And for emergencys the nearest vet.

So let me get this straight.. Friend found an ill dumped foal, put it in her yard. Rang the RSPCA. Who came when they were able after hours.( let's just forget about all the other potential emergencys and other suffering animals that were not with a nice member of public) Rang own vet who refused to attend. RSPCA paid for a emergency out of hours vet visit and treatment. Foal is still in yard and you are looking after it.

What else do you want RSPCA to do and what are you complaining about?
 

Ladyinred

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And what a great (and typical) HHO welcome to a lady who is only doing her best to help an otherwise abandoned colt.

Stick with it piggyand friends, some of us are actually nice people.
 

MillyMoomie

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Ladyinred I am a VERY nice person. I would give you my name which is recognised but I wish to remain anon.

As this is a public forum I am entitled to comment that this situation does not appear to be the norm and unlike some on here I will not behave like a sheep and jump on the bandwagon of hate.

I personally know ALOT of RSPCA and WHW officers and every single one of them work endless hours for animals. The whole point they are in the job is because they love animals, why would they want to leave one suffering? You all need to see the bigger picture.

Oh and by the way I have NEVER met or been involved in a BHS welfare officer in any equine job. Never known one to be involved.
 

Ladyinred

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I dont think the OP was intending a hate campaign. She was only concerned that she do her best for the colt and surprised by the 'its on your property therefore your problem' attitude. As I said much earlier in the thread, I knew someone from the same area who had exactly the same dilemma last year.

I am not RSPCA bashing, just thinking they need to be a little more approachable and prepared to listen to the full story sometimes. They have done a brilliant job over this winter in several places. Maybe they should issue a clear and concise list of guidelines telling people what they will/can and won't/cannot do. There is all this rubbish about if you water a horse then the inspector can't help etc.. it all needs clarifying.
 

Amaranta

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Well done for caring enough to help this poor young horses, people like you make me a little less despairing for the human race.

As for the RSPCA and the way they have behaved in this case, shame on them. It's all very well for them to have paid for the initial vet's fees, but, as anyone who has rescued a horse will know, this is just the tip of the iceberg and passing the buck onto a kind hearted member of the public is NOT what they are supposed to be about.

Am actually disgusted :(
 

Moomin1

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Does anyone know what branch of the RSPCA they contacted in Kent?

If they contacted a branch of the RSPCA they would have had no response whatsoever. The inspectors work for the national society, not the branches. Branches are open during daytime only and do not have any responsibility to pass jobs to inspectors or authorise vets to attend these types of incidents.

The national number for the RSPCA is 0300 1234 999.
 
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I understand the dilemma's the RSPCA have. I can assure you it was not easy to agree for them to attend or even make contact - In fact the officer kindly took my word in this case without attending and contacted the vet (who was also dealing with emergencies). this must show an indication of how busy both are (after all the bigger picture is not just equines). I am your 'average' person I'm afraid, not well known, high up (and truth be known a pretty useless horse woman) but I value life and would never walk by anything or one in distress. My charity extends without question to assist those in need. As a result I have been told, I would be prosecuted if I returned the dumped pony to the field it was found in (which he could not have been tended to there) and I was also told that as it was now on my property (fact is its not my property at all) it was down to me under the law to deal with (I was also told at an early stage by the officer if the vet decides he could not be treated, I would have to pay for him to be destroyed). I am sorry in this instance I believe that is wrong (I felt sick when she said this and was dumbfounded) he was a welfare case. He needed help (from wherever and whoever) I do not have a big bank balance, quite the contrary I have £3.34 in my account until pay day. However my moral compass points and I will not and would not walk past anyone or anything in distress. I would do the same again tomorrow rather that let the poor pony drop dead knee deep in mud an waste. I would like to also say that a local inundated charity called brownbread regulary attends cases without question but they are at breaking point.There needs to be a joint approach to make things happen for these poor animals. This was the reason for the post by a friend who actually voted with her feet! Help is needed for this poor boy - good news is wow saddles has put this picture on their wall and a number of people have offered there support - THERE IS HOPE FOR POPPET! Keep your fingers crossed for him.
 

Spring Feather

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It does seem a pretty silly situation that Piggy and Friends have found themselves in though. What is she supposed to do with the pony once he has recovered? And is he now stolen property in the eyes of the law?

I don't know, it all seems so much simpler where I live. If you are registered with the society in my area then the SPCA/Humane Society simply signs the horse over to you, you pay for it's treatment and then you are free to sell the horse legally once it has recovered.
 

Queenbee

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Local Paper.

Take lots of photos of where he was found and obviously lots of photos of him now. Give them all the info you can including the attending vets name who will be able to give a statement.

Local Paper... no, national papers too! message them all and someone will run this...

RSPCA..

Well, we all know if toilet paper was printed with their logo, you wouldnt wipe your **** with it!
 

Moomin1

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I understand the dilemma's the RSPCA have. I can assure you it was not easy to agree for them to attend or even make contact - In fact the officer kindly took my word in this case without attending and contacted the vet (who was also dealing with emergencies). this must show an indication of how busy both are (after all the bigger picture is not just equines). I am your 'average' person I'm afraid, not well known, high up (and truth be known a pretty useless horse woman) but I value life and would never walk by anything or one in distress. My charity extends without question to assist those in need. As a result I have been told, I would be prosecuted if I returned the dumped pony to the field it was found in (which he could not have been tended to there) and I was also told that as it was now on my property (fact is its not my property at all) it was down to me under the law to deal with (I was also told at an early stage by the officer if the vet decides he could not be treated, I would have to pay for him to be destroyed). I am sorry in this instance I believe that is wrong (I felt sick when she said this and was dumbfounded) he was a welfare case. He needed help (from wherever and whoever) I do not have a big bank balance, quite the contrary I have £3.34 in my account until pay day. However my moral compass points and I will not and would not walk past anyone or anything in distress. I would do the same again tomorrow rather that let the poor pony drop dead knee deep in mud an waste. I would like to also say that a local inundated charity called brownbread regulary attends cases without question but they are at breaking point.There needs to be a joint approach to make things happen for these poor animals. This was the reason for the post by a friend who actually voted with her feet! Help is needed for this poor boy - good news is wow saddles has put this picture on their wall and a number of people have offered there support - THERE IS HOPE FOR POPPET! Keep your fingers crossed for him.

Sounds fantastic so far with regard what has been done with this poor horse.

With regards his future, have you now contacted WHW, BHS, or HAPPA? I am sure they must be able to help you?
 

Moomin1

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It does seem a pretty silly situation that Piggy and Friends have found themselves in though. What is she supposed to do with the pony once he has recovered? And is he now stolen property in the eyes of the law?

I don't know, it all seems so much simpler where I live. If you are registered with the society in my area then the SPCA/Humane Society simply signs the horse over to you, you pay for it's treatment and then you are free to sell the horse legally once it has recovered.

Erm, not sure what you mean?

Person with horse can do what they wish after so long of not being claimed. They need to speak to a solicitor to confirm how many days they would advise on this.

RSPCA need have no involvement whatsoever from this point.
 

Spring Feather

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Erm, not sure what you mean?

Person with horse can do what they wish after so long of not being claimed. They need to speak to a solicitor to confirm how many days they would advise on this.

RSPCA need have no involvement whatsoever from this point.

Ah okay I didn't know that RSPCA/WHW horses were allowed to be sold privately in the UK. I assumed they were on some sort of adoption scheme. They aren't 'claimed' here, they are signed over to you and then they belong to you when the horse comes on your property.
 

Queenbee

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Once you take the equine onto your own land, you will be held responsible for the costs & liabilities :( (even the police will usually not be helpful as said animal is now in a safe place).

To anyone else - create firm mayhem on the phone if you are ever in this situation, keep the equine in the public place where it was found, give 1st aid & comfort (rug/bedding etc) where it is & keep on going bat-shyte on the phone :(

OP - hope your friend is able to resolve this. (and well done her & you guys)


Im actually pretty sure that on the basis of animal welfare, the fact that the horse was temporarily taken onto private land resulting in the 'carer' being responsible for costs could sucessfully be contested in court.

This weird. I personally know of at least 5 abandoned foals that have come from Kent/Sussex areas that are currently on 24 hour care in RSPCA boarding. Why would they not act on this one but the others?

I have contacted a Kent inspector to ask for the story myself. The situation the OP described just doesn't happen. The RSPCA are literally picking up hundreds of dumped horses every month.

Plus Moomin is correct, the RSPCA don't have 'RSPCA vets', there are just vets... And for emergencys the nearest vet.

So let me get this straight.. Friend found an ill dumped foal, put it in her yard. Rang the RSPCA. Who came when they were able after hours.( let's just forget about all the other potential emergencys and other suffering animals that were not with a nice member of public) Rang own vet who refused to attend. RSPCA paid for a emergency out of hours vet visit and treatment. Foal is still in yard and you are looking after it.

What else do you want RSPCA to do and what are you complaining about?
so they've done the bare minimum... thats obviously a sucessful outcome and an action that is representative of their services that they purport to provide in your opinion. however, in this case it obviously does not even cover basic welfare needs and standards... hardly a suitable service rendered is it?

And what a great (and typical) HHO welcome to a lady who is only doing her best to help an otherwise abandoned colt.

Stick with it piggyand friends, some of us are actually nice people.

Completely agree

Hi All,

I am the aforementioned friend. Poppet is hanging on next 2 weeks will be touch and go for him. The burn on his nose is a sign of liver damage. The RSPCA have paid for initial vet pain relief and a blood test to indicate he has a chance of life.... That's just what we will give him! Newnham Court Vets (thanks Tegan and Peter) have been amazing! I was however perplexed by the following reply in regards to putting his story on Horse and Hound FB page given aren't we all horse lovers;

Well done on acting to help this little pony, but I'm afraid we can't ask our facebook fans to donate to help cover his costs. Have you tried contacting World Horse Welfare about the situation you are facing? They may be able to offer some advice or assistance and are sometimes better placed to help with equine welfare cases than the RSPCA.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts - truly amazing (and of course thanks to my friend, Suki)

Sounds fantastic so far with regard what has been done with this poor horse.

With regards his future, have you now contacted WHW, BHS, or HAPPA? I am sure they must be able to help you?


Again, agree contats WHW... they are excellent in such cases.

with regards to HHO advertising this on their FB page, did you really expect any other response? Its hardly the sort of thing they would bother about although even they seem to aknowledge there are better and more appropriate and proactive charities around who would help you.
 

ozpoz

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"Person with horse can do what they wish"?????
It is obvious that the RSPCA are aware of the costs involved in trying to help return a sick equine back to health and are doing their best to avoid them.
I thought the organisation was set up to alleviate suffering.
Indefensible Moomins, really...:(
 
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