General Chat

Many of you will remember these dreadfully neglected animals taken to sanctuaries in Norfolk mainly, from the farm near Amersham. They had been so neglected and there were many dead animals there too.
The owners court case for cruelty happened today. Meanwhile the owners had applied for many of the animals to be returned to them as they were family pets. A judge had said yes and that many of the animals could be put up for sale. This meant that the creatures on the way back to good health in the sanctuaries would be put up for general auction and no follow up could be made as to their future progress and good health and care, which many of them need.
There is a petition running to get the government to reverse this ruling so the animals can continue to be cared for and monitored if and when they are ready for new homes.
I just saw a snippet on the news where the carers are rejoicing for the mo at a good result so presumably something to do with the cruelty case. I will update this as I find out more info.
Lizx
If I can find the link for the petition, I will post it in a bit.


See next post. Will add info about court case in a while.

Just found this:

The petition to prevent the return of animals to the Amersham farm is now closed
More than 19,000 people signed the petition, organised by the National Equine Welfare Council, to prevent the return of 29 ponies and donkeys to Spindle Farm in Amersham The petition is now closed and has been sent to the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice for his immediate attention.

A huge thank you to everyone who has shown their support, we have been overwhelmed at the response and just hope it is not in vain. Our primary concern is, as always, for the welfare of the horses and ponies and we do not believe that the return of any animals to Spindle Farm is in their best interest until the full court case has been resolved.

On 9 January, Redwings was involved in a large rescue of horses from Buckinghamshire; we took in 21 horses, ponies and donkeys that day for veterinary care including donkey foal Esther. This was an RSPCA-led case involving local Police and other charities including the ILPH, the Horse Trust and the Blue Cross. All organisations concerned worked as a team, and Redwings was pleased to involve 30 of its staff and eight horseboxes.


Five people now face 12 charges relating to the Animal Wefare Act as a result, and the court case is set to begin on 28 April. However, on April 4 a judge at Oxford Magistrate's Court ruled that in the meantime, 29 ponies and donkeys should be returned to the family's care, whilst another 80 or so are to be sold at auction in May.

A High Court hearing took place on Friday April 11th to have the animals returned even sooner but residing judge Mr Justice Wyn Williams refused to force the animals to be returned to the owners, instead referring the case back to Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth, who made the original decision. We understand this is hearing is to take place this afternoon (Monday 14th April) at the original court.

If you have missed the petition deadline but would still like to register your concern, you can still write to your local MP and the MP for Amersham, Mrs Cheryl Gillian MP. Simply download this letter template to get started >>>>>. Or alternatively follow this link: http://www.writetothem.com

We saw this too on the news.
the very idea that these people should be given these poor animals back is criminal.
How could anyone consider giving them an animal to look after?

they were in such a distressed state when they were found.... disgusting idea!

Deanna X

Apparently the return of the animals has been postponed while the case goes to the high court.
Please read the above and write in to help support the sanctuaries in trying to keep these poor creatures safe in the future as well as now.
Lizx

All the money being spent on fighting this case could have been used to help keep these animals, how disgusting that the family even think they have any rights to have the animals in their care again. Evil people!
Lizx

Will be doing just that. It's disgusting :(

Hi Liz,I do hope they are kept at Redwings,I have supported redwings for many years they really do look after the horses and ponies there.

I will send my letter,you can count on it.
x

Thanks for that, folks, there are also horses at ILPH, Snetterton.
One donkey had a foal called Timothy and I think there has been another birth too, a pony I think.
Lizx

If I ever came into money the one thing I would have is a sanctuary for donkeys. I give to 3 animal charities one of them beIng the :-

The Donkey Sanctuary
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10 8ZZ

The plight of donkeys always seem to me to be neglected, and they are such gentle creatures.

Anne

I love donkeys. I saw in the paper recently there are weight resrictions, no riders over I think it was 8 stones allowed. Might have been at Yarmouth?
Lizx

On our walk with the dogs at a Norfolk country park on Sunday, a young girl stopped and asked us to sign a petition to stop the return of the animals to that Gray person. She was from Red Wings and nearly in tears about the situation.

Im so glad on the news it said the decision has been overturned - I hope thats for definite.

Hi Heather, the owners go to court soon on charges of cruelty etc. I hope they will be banned forever from keeping animals which would mean the horses and donkeys couldn't be handed back then.
Lizx

So what was the other hearing where that daft judge said they could have back those donkeys and shetlands which were deemed "pets". I mean mad or what?

This girl from Red Wings, bless her, so young, was saying they had reports that Gray person had been seen in Norfolk and so had stepped up security. What on earth would he be up to? Thats another thing with this "traveller" population - they seem to have all the rights but none of the responsibilities.