REDWINGS THANKS HORSE COMMUNITY FOR ITS SUPPORT DURING AMERSHAM HEARINGS
| REDWINGS THANKS HORSE COMMUNITY FOR ITS SUPPORT DURING AMERSHAM HEARINGS The horses at the centre of one of the worst cases of animal cruelty seen in this country are now safe*, a judge has decided today. Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which cares for over half of the rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, would like to thank the equine community for its incredible support over the past two years. (* subject to a 21 day appeal period.) | |
Among the rescued animals are Esther the chocolate brown donkey foal who arrived timid and scared and Timothy, another donkey foal born just days after mum Mary's arrival.
"We have been waiting for two years to see this case resolved," explains Redwings Chief Executive Lynn Cutress. "It was a pitiful, heartbreaking and deeply distressing rescue and it is such a relief that it is finally over and the 61 horses we have here are safe at last. We have the public to thank as without their generosity and support we could not do what we do." | Veterinarian and head of welfare Nic de Brauwere was present at the rescue and led Redwings' rescue team of eight horseboxes and 30 staff. "The live horses, in cramped conditions, were suffering from malnutrition, matted coats, exhaustion, lice infestations and worms. Dead horses were left where they fell. The memory of what we saw that day will stay with me forever." Judge Christopher Tyrer and the two magistrates who oversaw the family's appeal hearing commended Nic's evidence in their Judgement Statement: "We considered Veterinary Surgeon De Brauwere to have been an outstanding witness. |
The 61 horses will always belong to Redwings and will never be sold, though some may be re-homed under the charity's guardianship scheme if they are suitable. "The donkeys will stay in the herds here at Redwings and some of the horses and ponies have been far too psychologically damaged to be moved again in the near future," concludes Lynn. "However, some of the younger ponies may be happier in a family situation enjoying being ridden; each will be assessed individually."
Added on: 12/05/10.
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