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Operation saves neglected animals Operation saves neglected animals
(about 1 hour later)
A huge animal rescue operation has taken place in Buckinghamshire after RSPCA officers found scores of neglected horses, ponies and donkeys.A huge animal rescue operation has taken place in Buckinghamshire after RSPCA officers found scores of neglected horses, ponies and donkeys.
Thirty-one horses were found dead at the site in Amersham where more than 80 animals are being cared for. Thirty-one horses were found dead at the site in Amersham on Friday and three other animals had to be put down.
Norfolk-based Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the International League for the Protection of Horses and Blue Cross also took part in the operation. A spokeswoman for the Norfolk-based Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which has helped with the rescue, said it rarely sees horses in such a poor condition.
Three of the horses had to be put to sleep because they were too ill. The 84 animals still on the site are being transferred to horse sanctuaries.
A 44-year-old man, from Amersham, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and on suspicion of causing criminal damage.A 44-year-old man, from Amersham, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
He has been bailed until 14 January when he is due to appear at Aylesbury Magistrates Court.He has been bailed until 14 January when he is due to appear at Aylesbury Magistrates Court.
'Safe location''Safe location'
A Redwings spokesman said: "Redwings will provide care, rehabilitation and homes to some of the animals while others will go to an undisclosed safe location. Other charities including the International League for the Protection of Horses and Blue Cross also took part in the operation.
"More will be known after the rescue has been carried out, led by the RSPCA and local police." Nicola Markwell, Redwings Sanctuary communications manager, said the operation was the "largest rescue in one day by the organisation, which was founded about 25 years ago.
The spokesman added: "More than 30 staff and eight horseboxes and trailers from Redwings will be involved in collecting the animals. "It is quite unprecedented," she said.
"Three animals had to be put to sleep as they were considered too ill to be moved or rehabilitated." The organisation was called in because of its experience in dealing with large-scale rescues.
The RSPCA said 14 horses were removed from the field over the weekend. Redwings was called in to help with the operation on Tuesday morning and about 30 staff were at the site with eight horse boxes.
She added: "Redwings Horse Sanctuary has travelled to rescues on many occasions but rarely sees cruelty so far advanced that equines are seemingly forgotten and literally left to die.
"All organisations involved in this rescue were deeply concerned about the welfare of the remaining and surviving horses, ponies and donkeys.
"Redwings are hopeful that a prosecution of the owner will follow - for both the deceased equines and those surviving that were considered to be in an unacceptable condition - but it is too early to comment on this in full."