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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Operation saves neglected animals | Operation saves neglected animals |
| (30 minutes 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 on Friday and three other animals had to be put down. | Thirty-one horses were found dead at the site in Amersham on Friday and three other animals had to be put down. |
| Animal charity workers from the RSPCA and others helping to relocate the horses have described the scenes as the worst they have ever encountered. | |
| The 84 animals still on the site are being transferred to horse sanctuaries. | The 84 animals still on the site are being transferred to horse sanctuaries. |
| 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. | |
| 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' |
| Other charities including the International League for the Protection of Horses and Blue Cross also took part in the operation. | Other charities including the International League for the Protection of Horses and Blue Cross also took part in the operation. |
| 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. | 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. |
| "It is quite unprecedented," she said. | "It is quite unprecedented," she said. |
| The organisation was called in because of its experience in dealing with large-scale rescues. | The organisation was called in because of its experience in dealing with large-scale rescues. |
| Redwings was called in to help with the operation on Tuesday morning and about 30 staff were at the site with eight horse boxes. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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." |