who to contact? Horses kept in fields full of ragwort...

lassiesuca

lassiesuca

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There's a field up the road from me which is around 2-3 acres and it's got about 8 horses on it. One of the people I know and her horse has just died from ragwort poisoning. She's kept this horse on the field for around 3 years and every summer, you just can't see the grass due to the sheer volume of ragwort (it's EVERYWHERE). Nothing hasn't been done about it and the horses are grazed on it.

Anyway, last year I reported this to the WHW and RSPCA, and nothing appeared to be done- I've just heard another horse from the same place has just died from ragwort poisoning, but nothing is being done to control the ragwort and remove it or move the horses!


I really want to do something, because I'm sure the numbers will amount- who is best to contact, and legally can they do anything?
 
Ragwort is a recognised problem in the UK, and government agencies can FORCE people to clear land with a ragwort problem to prevent spreading. The Ragwort Act (2003) (England and Wales) allows powers to do this. I'd persevere with RSPCA, or contact the council direct and inform them that there's an outbreak at risk of spreading.
 
Contact the BHS and find your local welfare officer.

Friend of mine covers Bristol area and she is really busy at the moment going to yards etc to talk to them about their ragwort infested fields (she will track down land owners and pay them a visit when she sees horses in ragwort infested fields, she gets really cross about it and cares).

You might find you get a better response via BHS, especially as they are doing their ragworth survey at the moment.
 
Very discreetly at night cant you stick a notice on the gate asking them why there horses keep dying of ragwort poisoning and rather than kill their horses pull the weed up! With some info on ragwort clearing etc.Are they thick?
 
indie999 said:
Very discreetly at night cant you stick a notice on the gate asking them why there horses keep dying of ragwort poisoning and rather than kill their horses pull the weed up! With some info on ragwort clearing etc.Are they thick?
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I'm sure if they've had horses die from suspected ragwort poisoning they will be aware of the problem. So either they can't deal with it, or won't. I don't think a rude sign is going to make a difference. Let the professionals deal with them.
 
BHS WHW and RSPCA are a complete and utter waste of time there is a man near us that has 157 starving, emaciated horses in Ragwort ridden fields in my area, the ragwort is actually the least of these horses' problems and the above mentioned have done nothing(myself and many others have reported him) and still this man keeps breeding and breeding horses, IMO its a Spindles farm waiting to happen.
Possibly try your local council.
I have very little faith now in horse charities.
 
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