143 horses - 32 dead
Hyde Heath, EN (UK)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 1, 2008
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: James Gray
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A total of 111 surviving horses, ponies and donkeys have been moved off premises believed to be a horse-trading business where 32 animals were found dead.
Rescuers from the RSPCA and police had discovered "dead horses everywhere" as well as emaciated survivors, many covered in excrement, mud, scrapes and cuts at Spindles farm, at Hyde Heath, near Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Three more had to be shot because of their condition.
Fourteen survivors thought to be in the worst state were moved to the Horse Trust's sanctuary at Speen in Buckinghamshire.
James Gray, 44, has been charged with causing criminal damage and assaulting a police officer. He was arrested when the investigation started after a tip-off.
The International League for the Protection of Horses, which was caring for 11 of the animals last night, said the animals were hungry and scared. A spokeswoman added: "They are all putting their heads down and won't stop feeding."
All the animals are officially in police custody but under the overall care of the RSPCA. Welfare organisations can only provide new homes for animals, subject to investigations, if owners hand them over or a court transfers ownership.
Case UpdatesThe RSPCA says it is "devastated and sickened" that 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies could be returned to Spindle Farm owner Jamie Gray.
On 4 January, 31 equines were found dead at Spindle Farm in Amersham, and 111 other horses, ponies and donkeys were rescued in one of the biggest horse welfare cases on record in the UK.
James John Gray, Julie Gray, Cordelia Gray and Jodie Gray, of Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham made an application to Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday, 4 April, to have the equines returned to them.
At the hearing, Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth allowed the 29 Shetlands and donkeys to go back to Spindle Farm saying "there is no evidence to show they are in any danger".
But he ordered the remaining horses to be sold at auction at Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire in May.
This morning, the RSPCA said it is looking at "all available legal avenues" to challenge the court's decision.
RSPCA deputy head of press Becky Hawkes told H&H: "We are sickened by the decision, and will continue to do everything we can to safeguard the welfare of the equines involved."
She added: "We are looking into all legal avenues in order to challenge the court's decision - even though there is no mechanism to appeal this decision under the Animal Welfare Act."
In court on Friday James John Gray, Julie Gray, Cordelia Gray, Jodie Gray and a juvenile pleaded not guilty to 12 charges related to section 4 and section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 - which cover causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet the needs of a total of 125 equines.
The pre-trial review for this case has been scheduled for 28 April 2008, and will also be heard at Oxford Magistrates Court. | Source: Horse & Hound - April 7, 2008
Update posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 3:33PM |
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