It's A Good Start, But That's All It Is...

...horse rescue officers, supported by Essex Police, attended the site on Saturday (22 April) to find four animals in distress.

One pony, a piebald mare, was discovered in a small area approximately five feet by five feet, without access to food or water and surrounded by live cattle wire which could have electrocuted the animal.

A second pony, a foal filly, was found tied dangerously with two rub wounds to her back legs from cart/trap sores. Two small ponies were then found detained inside a large dog kennel which was incredibly cramped and dangerous for the animals.

The usual suspects, of course. And this is just a drop in the ocean, if the comments are to be believed.

The operation took place using the Control of Horses Act, which gives councils the power to remove and detain animals found to be unlawfully occupying public land.

The Act is designed to protect the welfare of animals while making owners liable to pay any costs for damage caused during the unlawful occupation, as well as expenses incurred by the council in detaining the animals.

Good luck getting any of the money!

By law, all horses, ponies, donkeys and related animals in the UK must be microchipped and have a horse passport.

What a pity there seems to be no way of enforcing this law...