what should i do?

[only_me]

ok, over the past weekend i have noticed two situations when i was out and about.

situation 1
coloured horse out in field near a caravan park. horse is bit on poor side and looks wormy. didnt get chance to see it up close, but is in field about 5x10m, very little grass but lots of ragwort. no idea who owns it.

situation 2
out hacking near home and went and visited donkeys near us. they are in sectioned parts of field (there are 5 donkeys) with 2 in one part and 3 in the other. the 2 look in good health and fatter than i last saw them, but again they look wormy (not sure if donkeys get worms?) and there feet are starting to curl. the other 3, i only saw 1 close up as it is friends with merlin

and its coat is pretty matted and has a rope halter on. his feet are curling too. i suspect that the 2 i didnt see close up are in same condition as well. problem is the person that did own them died, and i know they are being looked after by someone but dont know who.

should i report them or what should i do? (and who do i report to?)

 

[Spyda]

I'd suggest, ILPA for the first pony and The Donkey Sanctuary for the second ones.

 

[SamW]

Ditto Spyda.

Defo the donkey sanctuary for the donkeys and either the ILPH or EMW for the pony.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Any reporting you do can be done anon so don't worry.

 

[Rowreach]

Hmm, this being Northern Ireland, you can guarantee nothing anyone does is anonymous.

Also, people's perspective here as to what constitutes cruelty or neglect is a long way behind that in the rest of the UK.

IME, if you are concerned about an animal, then in the first instance try to find out who it belongs to, or is looking after it, and then try to approach them via a friend or acquantance who might be able to suggest that the animal needs worming/feeding/feet taking care of etc etc. Keep an eye on the situation, and obviously if necessary you will have to report it to the USPCA, and prepare to take the flak.

My OH trims the feet of several donkeys around here, and is used to their owners having them done "once a year whether they need it or not"

His approach is to suggest they are done more frequently, but as he says, he would rather know they are done properly once a year than fall out with people and then find the donkeys aren't done at all.