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RSPCA staff find 31 dead horses | RSPCA staff find 31 dead horses |
(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 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 staff from the RSPCA and others described the scene as the worst they had ever encountered. One vet told the BBC it was "utterly horrific". | |
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 been helping with the rescue, said it had rarely seen horses in such a poor condition. | A spokeswoman for the Norfolk-based Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which has been helping with the rescue, said it had rarely seen 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. |
It's obviously quite shocking to see the number of dead horses that we've seen Kirsty Hampton RSPCA | It's obviously quite shocking to see the number of dead horses that we've seen Kirsty Hampton RSPCA |
Other charities including the International League for the Protection of Horses and Blue Cross also took part in the operation to rescue the animals. | Other charities including the International League for the Protection of Horses and Blue Cross also took part in the operation to rescue the animals. |
Nicola Markwell, Redwings Sanctuary communications manager, said it was the "largest" rescue in one day by the organisation, which was founded about 25 years ago. | Nicola Markwell, Redwings Sanctuary communications manager, said it 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. |
Redwings was called in to help with the operation on Tuesday morning and about 30 staff have been at the site with eight horse boxes. | Redwings was called in to help with the operation on Tuesday morning and about 30 staff have been at the site with eight horse boxes. |
Kirsty Hampton from the RSPCA said: "It's obviously quite shocking to see the number of dead horses that we've seen." | Kirsty Hampton from the RSPCA said: "It's obviously quite shocking to see the number of dead horses that we've seen." |