Horse neglect - 31 surrendered
Auckland, AU (NZ)Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
SPCA staff and experienced standardbred horse owners are preparing for a major rescue operation involving 31 horses in rural South Auckland.
SPCA inspector Vicki Border said she would be meeting with a group of experienced horse people at the 10-hectare (25 acre) property later today and the rescue would begin.
The owner of the horses signed them over to the SPCA yesterday [March 31, 2008], Ms Border said.
"There was a total of 31 horses which have now been surrendered to the SPCA," Ms Border said.
She confessed the case has been playing on her mind since coming to the SPCA's attention last Tuesday.
"I haven't slept well with worrying about what to do."
She said a number of well-respected standardbred owners would be meeting with her at the property to look at the options for rehoming the younger stock and some of the older mares.
"There are a large number of unbroken stallions and mares aged 14 to 21. Unfortunately, the better option will be euthanasia," she said.
"We have consulted with a large-animal vet and Sandra [Shearer] from ILPH [the International League for the Protection of Horses]."
It was felt euthanasia was the best option for those animals which, aside from poor body condition, had "shocking" feet and teeth.
"They have been through enough stress," she said. "They have suffered enough. They are not going to suffer any longer.
"We unfortunately don't live in an ideal world. Reality is a huge factor. It is for the benefit of the horses. It is certainly not a decision that has been made lightly."
Ms Border said the SPCA did not have the resources to house that many horses and they would be taken to other properties to be rehabilitated. It was then hoped that permanent homes could be found for them - a process the SPCA would be closely involved with.
Ms Border described one of the four horses removed initially from the property as emaciated. "The vet could not even body-score it," she said, referring to the scoring system used to rate the body condition of horses.
There was concern, she said, that the worst of the four would be dead within a week without intervention, plus the issue of the foals receiving adequate nutrition.
Ms Border said the SPCA became aware of the situation on the property last Tuesday.
"There has been a group of us going to the property and feeding out daily."
She said the owner has been fully co-operative throughout the process. "They know they have screwed up big time.
"When they signed them over yesterday, it was very upsetting for them.
"There are other factors involved, but unfortunately the horses are the ones that are suffering."
Ms Border said the condition of the horses was variable. A few could be called light, but body scores were generally poor.
She said the removal of the horses would happen as quickly as possible, and she hoped the whole exercise would be completed by Friday.
"It's got to be actioned immediately. I am not going to dilly-dally around. They are on dirt, dust."
She said she saw horses sucking at the dirt to get the last pieces of hay.
The four horses already with the SPCA were eating well, she said, and the animal in the worst condition had an upper respiratory problem, possibly arising from the dusty environment from which they were removed.
They seemed well pleased with their new digs, she said.
Ms Border said enough manpower was in place for the removal of the horses and no further help was required. She did not want too many people around to stress the horses.
"These people are in the standardbred industry. They have fantastic reputations."
She was sure they would provide the best of care in nursing the horses back to health.
It was the biggest horse rescue she was aware of in her eight years with the SPCA.
Case UpdatesTwenty-four of the 31 standardbred horses on a rural South Auckland property that have been surrendered to the SPCA are likely to be euthanized.
The SPCA and experienced horse people met at the property yesterday to assess and try to remove as many of the animals as possible.
"We did not have a great deal of luck, unfortunately ... they were wild," said SPCA inspector Vicki Border, who has been handling the case.
"We were able to rehome three of them to an excellent horses handler," she said. "These three have a chance ... we were able to catch and handle them."
The other horses proved too difficult to catch and the animals were becoming stressed after three or four hours of attempts.
"I want to stress that we had very experienced horse handlers with us," she said.
"They are better off being euthanized.
"I have had a lot of people contacting me, saying they can do this, or they can do that, which is awesome.
"But the reality is with these horses ... it's just not happening. Why stress them out?"
Euthanizing was the best option, she said.
"I don't think it's necessary to put them through any more stress. They are better off in heaven."
"It's a hard decision, but I have made it in consultation with the vet."
She also discussed it with the horse handlers who saw the horses.
The horses, she said, had experienced little human contact. "The only human contact was a bit of hay over the fence. They have not even been out of the paddock they have been in."
She said she realised some people would voice disapproval of the decision, but she was satisfied it was the right decision. "I stand firmly by that decision," she said. "These calls have to be made.
"I had a gentleman [with me] who had broken in many a horse. He agreed. He was pushed around. It was dangerous for us yesterday," she said.
She said the unhandled horses were in urgent need of hoof and dental care, and had low body scores.
The horses were being well fed in the meantime and she would organise their euthanasia within the next few days. "It will be done humanely and quickly. There will be no pain or distress," she said.
She said she would return to the property today and would see if any more horses could be caught. "I don't hold out much hope."
In total, seven horses have been successfully removed from the property. The SPCA is caring for two mares and their three-week-old foals at its Westney Road, Mangere, premises. Feed donations were sought and the SPCA was grateful to those who have responded to the appeal.
The three rehomed yesterday were two yearlings and a mare.
The SPCA became aware of the situation at the 10ha (25-acre) property a week ago. A group has been visiting the property daily to feed out.
The owner signed all the horses over to the SPCA on Monday. | Source: HorseTalk New Zealand - April 2, 2008
Update posted on Apr 3, 2008 - 4:12PM |
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