Burnley horse rescue centre reports record cruelty cases (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley horse rescue centre reports record cruelty cases

11:11am Thursday 30th April 2009 in

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STAFF at a horse and pony rescue centre are experiencing “record levels of cruelty and neglect” during the current recession.

Bosses at HAPPA (The Horses and Ponies Protection Association) said they directly blame the country’s financial crisis for an increase in neglected animals.

Kathryn Roberts, operations manager, said it costs around £12,500 per month to run the rescue centre, currently home to 70 horses and ponies.

She said the centre was currently receiving several calls every day from people who cannot look after their animals, or were reporting a cruelty case.

“The number of calls being investigated by our welfare officers has risen by approximately 30per cent since January and we have noticed a particular increase in horses suffering from long hooves and untreated feet,” she said.

“Under-nourished animals are also on the increase and the press-ure on HAPPA seems to be growing daily. With a reduction in the number of donations and legacies we are receiving during these challenging financial times, we urge our friends and supporters to spare even a few pounds to help us to continue to react effectively to all calls for help.”

She said that recent examples of mistreatment the staff had dealt with at their base at the Shores Hey Rescue Centre, Briercliffe, had included the removal of “severely emaciated” horses and foals from East Lancashire owners in two separate incidents.

In another incident officers were called to help a starving mare which was being kept in a field that had no grass, or food.

Kathryn said that horse, Molly, a black 14hh cob, is now enjoying care and attention at the rescue centre, although her condition is still being closely monitored as she is being treated for a heavy worm infestation and malnutrition.

She added: “Molly is improving daily and we expect her to make a full recovery.

"She is a gentle and trusting animal that had been left to find nourishment in a barren and muddy field.

“She had stripped bark from every tree and shrub and, when rescued, had splinters of wood jammed between most of her teeth.”

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