[ad_1]
A load of 26 “frightened and weak” horses together with some believed to be destined for slaughter in Europe have been intercepted in Kent.
An overloaded transporter was stopped at Dover with 26 equines on board, of whom solely 19 had the required paperwork for the journey. Many had well being points, making them unfit to journey, and a minimum of one pony was contaminated with equine influenza.
The horses had been deserted at a Kent holding yard when authorities found that they had been being smuggled out of the UK, and have been rescued by World Horse Welfare.
“We applaud the authorities for taking motion on this case and stopping the automobile, however far too typically these lorries cross borders unchecked,” stated World Horse Welfare chief govt Roly Owers.
“From our preliminary investigations, the horses had been allegedly travelling from the Republic of Eire to France, utilizing Britain as a land-bridge. However they’re all British-born horses, some purchased from gross sales in England shortly earlier than supposedly being ‘imported’ again into the nation.
“No matter whether or not the horses began their journey in Eire or Britain, it’s extremely doubtless that they’d have been travelled for hours to doubtlessly finish their lives in a European slaughterhouse.
“Some are pregnant mares, others had well being situations making them unfit to journey, and one needed to be euthanised as a result of it was in such a poor state. Worryingly 13 of the horses are signed out of the meals chain.”
After arriving on the charity’s Norfolk rescue and rehoming centre, the group was discovered to be carrying equine influenza. Though they had been quarantined on arrival, the outbreak meant the farm had to enter lockdown.
The UK Authorities’s Animal Welfare (Dwell Exports) Invoice is progressing via the Home of Lords. The charity stated that this case shines a highlight on the unlawful commerce in horses and why secondary laws, strong enforcement and equine traceability are “very important to guard British horses and ponies from an unknown destiny”.
“This case highlights the tragic actuality we consider numerous equines need to undergo via being exported to slaughter,” stated Mr Owers.
“Drivers and autos are switched, horses move via a number of arms, generally on fraudulent passports, and are moved between native authority areas and from nation to nation, earlier than they’re exported. All to make it more durable to hint the individuals concerned, the person equines being moved and the lengthy journeys that they’re being subjected to.
“To place an finish to those abhorrent actions and to guard our nation’s horses, it’s crucial that the UK Authorities will get the Dwell Export Invoice on to the statute guide, lastly implements a sturdy and digitalised equine identification system, and establishes an efficient system for imposing all equine laws, in order that smugglers can now not conceal behind a smokescreen of confusion.”
You may additionally be interested by:
Credit score: Future
Credit score: Alamy Inventory Picture
Credit score: Eleanor Jones
Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the newest information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.
[ad_2]