Lane
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11/16/2006 12:05:07 PM
Horses and ponies suffering in UK horse auctions....Please help Last Angel Equin
Many years ago, when I was 12, I visited Southall horse market in Middlesex, UK. A friend of mine wanted to buy a donkey and I innocently accompanied her, unaware of the horrors that lay ahead. I have never forgotten what I saw at the market that day, it has stayed with me all my life. Terrified horses and ponies in the most appalling condition were all around me, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. Several times that day I saw the men who had come to sell their horses hitting them with sticks to get them to move, and, at one point, a stallion, in a horribly neglected condition was trying to mount a mare. Three men began hitting him repeatedly with whips and sticks. This horse was so exhausted and unwell that and in the end, the poor horse fell to the floor, the men around him were actually laughing. At the end of the sale, while we were waiting for transport for the donkey my friend had bought at the auction, a few men were trotting another exhausted and very thin horse backwards and forwards again and again. It was so sad to see the horse, bewildered, frightened and exhausted being forced to do this. The men kept taking it in turns to ride the poor animal, kicking it brutally to force it to trot, they too, were laughing at the horse's obvious terror and pain.
All these years later I am aware that this cruelty sadly still exists at Southall market, and from the reports I've read, and stories I have heard, it obviously exists in other horse markets across the UK. The following are just two examples of many similar accounts.
Here is a quote from someone who recently visited Southall market:
"....I was disgusted and upset when I visited this market the other week. I thought after twenty years (my last visit) things would have improved. GOD what a HELL HOLE. I cannot believe that they got status to give passports. I even got in touch with Market watch and this was their response"
This quote comes from an equine welfare organisation in the UK
"...The problem with Southall is that it is 'manned' by heavies - be they meat dealers/ gypsies or rough dealers. How the h*ll this place managed to become a passport Issuing authority is beyond me. Especially as it's well known as a 'fence' for stolen horses and the place is outdated and far from ideal as a market venue with ancient fixtures and fittings. Our complaints go to Trading standards for the area, the RSPCA, DEFRA for giving Southall 'status' as a PIA, (Passport Issuing Authority) but local press is always a way to go though the place is notorious and few will want to go in - to be frank few care. Letters of complaint to the auctioneers are a waste of paper as they are a law unto themselves! We have contacted the Police before now but horse crime is low on their list of priorities unless it is linked to things like transporters running with no plating certificate or operators licence or using red diesel - you can bet all of these happen there! The emotive side of things the Police are not interested in at all"
The Following is a recent report by Equine Market Watch, a UK sanctuary and equine welfare organisation.....http://www.equinemarketwatch.org.uk/index.html
"Please note:- all reports are provided by volunteers. They are that person's view on the day. In most cases we ask that there is more than one person present to verify reports....but of course the best way to judge is to go and see for yourself.Your report on what you see at your chosen auction will be most welcome for inclusion"
EMW Sanctuaries UK
USK HORSE FAIR MONMOUTH, OCTOBER 1ST 2006
"....So then, where do you begin. Do you begin with EMW yet again being the only welfare present well, unless you count the 'other' known charity who were present BUT were selling as a trader there. Do you start with the lack of Police on site d
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Maria Daines
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11/17/2006 10:46:42 AM
Dear Cathy,
I know it is a thankless task but a HUGE thank you to you all the same, for everything you are doing to improve the lives of horses and raise the standard of their welfare, not to forget the wonderful work of rescue that you have already undertaken. I will make inquiries to see if there is a horse sale/fair in this area and if so I will attend and write a report for you.
All my best
Maria xx
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