RSPCA Operation To Rescue Horses
Report by SKY News - Updated:18:56, Wednesday January 09, 2008 Villagers have spoken of their shock after a rescue operation to save 84 horses, ponies and donkeys from a field where more than 30 animals had already died.
A horse trader, named locally as XXXXXXXXX is being questioned about alleged neglect of animals at a field he owns in Hyde Heath, near Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The RSPCA, Thames Valley Police, the International League for the Protection of Horses and Redwings Horse Sanctuary were involved in the rescue. The operation began on Friday when a villager spotted a dead animal in the field.
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http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1300033,00.html Statement by The British Horse Society on Buckinghamshire horse raid 10.1.08 The British Horse Society (BHS) has condemned a Buckinghamshire horse establishment where more than 30 horses have been found dead.
The BHS - Britain's largest horse charity with a membership of more than 106,000 - voiced its support for the work of the horse rescue charities that resulted in the raiding of the yard in Amersham, from which around 80 surviving horses are currently being rescued.
Thirty-one horses were found dead at the site and three more have been subsequently humanely destroyed. It is likely to be some time before the full extent of the loss of horse life is known.
BHS Welfare Senior Executive Lee Hackett said: "The horse welfare community is deeply shocked by the extent of what has happened in Buckinghamshire. We wholeheartedly condemn any mistreatment of horses and ponies. Mistreatment on this scale is unprecedented in Britain - the true horror of the situation is only now becoming clear.
"The collaboration between welfare charities to rescue these horses has been fantastic. Clearly there needs to be a full inquiry into the circumstances behind this case. We must use these terrible events to make sure this kind of carnage never happens again."
The British Horse Society condemns all mistreatment or neglect of horses and works tirelessly through a network of welfare officers to respond to reports of welfare concerns and provide education to horse-owners and the general public. More news links:
9.1.08 Read more from the BBC
9.1.08 Read more from the RSPCA | 
