Horse starved to death
Warmington, EN (UK)Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 1, 2006
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A starving horse was dumped in a field and found nuzzling up to his dead companion. The dead horse, a bay gelding, is thought to have died before being dumped on the outskirts of Warmington.
RSPCA officers found the surviving animal, a piebald yearling, lying in a ditch and nudging the dead horse with his nose.
They took him to a specialist treatment centre and he has been named Sinatra by officers because of his dazzling blue eyes.
Inspector Kat Parfitt and animal collection officer Kathy Hornig were called to the scene by a nearby landowner.
Insp Parfitt said: "This was a very upsetting scene. Sinatra was weak, did not seem interested in food and his companion was lying dead nearby. He was infested with worms and lice and his feet needed seeing to. No animal deserves to be treated in this way.
"Sinatra is very gentle and enjoys being fussed. We're hoping a new home will be found for him and that he can forget this poor start to his young life."
It is thought that the horses were taken to the field on the morning of March 1 by a 4x4 vehicle and trailer, which was spotted nearby.
Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal or abandoning an animal in circumstances likely to cause it to suffer unnecessarily can face up to six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.
The RSPCA is asking anyone with any information about animal cruelty to call the national helpline on 08705 555 999.
Calls are taken in confidence.
Case UpdatesAn injured and malnourished pony found dumped in Bushey is slowly recovering from its suffering, but the RSPCA is still appealing for any information about the animal, who rescuers named Bolero. The piebald gelding is believed to have been left abandoned up to four days earlier. The four-and-a-half year-old pony was suffering from laminitis, a chronic condition of the hooves, which can cause severe pain. A representative from the RSPCA likened Bolero's pain to how a person would feel if forced to walk on tiptoe on severely infected toenails. His laminitis was so severe that his pedal bone had penetrated the sole of the foot, causing extreme pain.
Bolero was found lying in the field unable to stand as a result of the pain in his hooves. His legs had also become entangled in a blue rug that was covering him, further hampering his movement. Bolero was underweight and his coat was severely matted and covered in burrs from the ground. RSPCA chief inspector for Hertfordshire, Malcolm Horsman, visited Bolero with a vet who gave the pony some pain relief, before taking him to a nearby stables so treatment of his feet could begin. He was transferred into the care of an RSPCA animal centre the following day, where his treatment is continuing. Chief Inspector Horsman said: "In his short life, this pony has known horrendous neglect, but at least he is now being given every chance of recovery and finding a new home.
"Anyone found guilty of abandoning an animal in circumstances likely to cause suffering could face a maximum sentence of six months in prison and / or a £5,000 fine." For more information about rehoming or to make a donation towards the ongoing treatment of Bolero and other animals in RSPCA care, telephone 0870 333 5999. Anyone with information about Bolero's abandonment can telephone the RSPCA's helpline on 08705 555 999 and leave a message for chief inspector Horsman. All calls will be treated in confidence. | Source: Watford Observer - March 10, 2006
Update posted on Apr 10, 2006 - 9:20PM |
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