RSPCA struggling to keep up as horse crisis mounts

The cob-type filly found dumped on some scrub land in Heywood last December

The growing numbers of horses being reported as abandoned or neglected is putting the RSPCA under pressure like never before.

The charity is dealing with large numbers of dead or dying horses being dumped in remote spots and horses placed in RSPCA care because their owners are accused of cruelty and neglect.

Today, the RSPCA is boarding 227 horses in the North of England alone which are subject to on-going investigations, almost all of which are in private establishments at a cost of between £10-£15 per day. This figure doesn’t include veterinary or farrier care.

Cathy Hyde, Equine Officer for the North of England, said: “We seem to be seeing more and more dead and dying horses dumped off the back of trailers in secluded areas, their owners unwilling or unable to pay for veterinary treatment or a ‘knackerman’ to dispose of their body.

“Irresponsible owners and traders can’t care for or sell the stock they already have but are continuing to breed. When those animals suffer or their needs aren’t met organisations like the RSPCA are left to pick up the pieces.

“We are, quite honestly, struggling to keep up with what is a mounting crisis.”

The situation is at its worst in the North of England – where a large proportion of the 510 horses being boarded by the RSPCA have come from and are being cared for.

Ms Hyde said: “Our inspectors are picking up horse case after horse case across the region.

“Where veterinary advice supports the fact that animals are suffering we act immediately to remove them, but that leaves us with the insurmountable problem of hundreds of horses whose care we fund for many months and even years until their owners are prosecuted or agree to sign them over so they can go to new homes.

“Although this would never influence our decision to remove animals, the enormous cost of housing, feeding and treating hundreds of these horses is putting an immense strain on our already stretched finances.”

The RSPCA is dealing with many neglected horses, whose owners have not, as yet, been identified.

A cob-type filly was found dumped on some scrub land between Chadwick Lane and Green Lane in Heywood on Monday 19 December last year. The filly, aged between 18 months and two years, was in need of vet attention so was taken into possession by police and placed in RSPCA care. She was underweight, suffering from a lice infestation and heavy worm burden. Happily, a new home has been secured for her.

In an unprecedented step, the RSPCA is making a desperate plea to the public to remember that they have limited resources and must always act within the law.

All of the calls that come into the RSPCA have to be dealt with by a total number of 402 RSPCA officers.

Ms Hyde, said: “We are being overwhelmed with enquiries from well-meaning people who believe that we are able to step in and remove animals straight away. We share their frustration that there are horses in muddy fields or which may seem as if they don’t have water or food but we do not have any powers to remove these horses unless a vet says they are suffering or their needs are not being met under the Animal Welfare Act.

“We want our supporters and others to appreciate that we can only offer the owners, where they are known, advice to improve less than satisfactory conditions – we cannot force them to comply with this advice nor take away their animals without veterinary support.”