Welfare And Education Committee News
Prevent return of Amersham horses prior to animal cruelty trial
In early January 2008 the RSPCA, assisted by other equine welfare organisations, removed over 100 horses, ponies and donkeys from Spindles Farm, Amersham and charges of animal cruelty were brought against the Gray family. Most of the animals required extensive veterinary treatment and nursing care to start them on the road to good health and some will need continued care for many months to come.
The farm's owner, James Gray, made a formal application to Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday, 4th April 2008 to have the animals returned. The Deputy District Judge ruled to return 29 of these animals into the care of the family, deemed to be family pets, and to send another 82 to public auction. This decision has been greeted with outrage and dismay by the welfare agencies caring for the animals as the case against the Gray family for offences under section 4 and section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act (2006) is yet to be heard.
While many of us feel we already adhere to good equine practise the new law allows for greater scrutiny of our husbandry. In particular the duty of care we have to show to our animals to ensure they have the 5 freedoms:
A suitable environment
A suitable diet
To be able to behave normally
To be housed with or apart from other animals (whatever is best for that particular animal )
To be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
This means that welfare organisations have greater facility to tackle cruelty and abuse.
Articles
The NPS Welfare & Education web pages feature a number of articles on topical health issues. These articles are available to download. If members have topics they would like featured or researched for the website please do contact the office.
Education
Education is another area in which the NPS intends to focus on its charitable aim and with this in mind greater training opportunities are being developed for 2008 and beyond. It is hoped to include a fun but educational training programme for our younger members.
What next
All members are invited to contact us with suggestions for projects, concerns and topics that they feel the Welfare and Education Committee should be addressing.
On a final note would all show organisers and competitors please read the welfare recommendations in the NPS Rules Book as additions and amendments have been made for 2008.
ELIZABETH J. LAUNDER
DEFRA Website