Foal dies in Faversham field despite calls to RSPCA

By Faversham Times | Friday, February 03, 2012, 08:00

AN EIGHT-month-old foal left to fend for itself died despite a flurry of calls to the RSPCA.

An eight-month-old foal abandoned in a Faversham field has died
The foal was found dead at Straight Hill last Wednesday

Neighbours alerted the animal charity on at least six different occasions after realising the pony, and seven other horses, had been left in a field without food or water.

They say the animals, in a field off Straight Hill, Faversham Road, had no water for four days and no food for two.

Although an RSPCA inspector visited the site, the foal was found dead in the field on Wednesday.

One resident, who refused to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "We are appalled and angry.

"The death was entirely preventable had it been cared for properly or received help in time.

"People who pass the field regularly on the Newnham Valley road see what is going on and have reported the situation on many occasions to the RSPCA and local police but nothing has been done to help the animals.

"Up until now, they have somehow managed to survive but, on this occasion, one had become so weak it collapsed before being let out and died the following day."

The owners had shut the horses in another part of the field following a motorbike-racing weekend held on the land.

Similar events are held in the field every winter.

Residents said they had expressed concerns to the RSPCA over the animals' access to hay, straw, food and water during the motorbike weekends for the past two years.

RSPCA spokesman Klare Kennett said: "We received complaints about the lack of water and an inspector had gone out and dealt with that.

"You can tell people to improve conditions but, at the end of the day, if they are not breaking the law and causing animals to suffer, there's not a lot we can do.

Ms Kennett added: "The difficulty now is that the owner is denying responsibility for the foal, but we certainly aren't giving up on this incident."

The remaining animals have food and water and are thought to be healthy.

There was no sign of the owners on the site when a reporter from the Times visited.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone found guilty of abandoning or neglecting an animal can face a fine of up to £20,000 or six months in prison.

To report a mistreated, neglected, injured or distressed animal, call the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999

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Comments

my friend and i phoned the rspca on many occasions, one paticular horse we had to purchase in order to save it as the rspca seemed to not be able to do anything about the situation that was getting worse. i recieve a lot of phone calls about distressed horses oin this area and have been out to them all. some we have helped if neccasery and will continue to do so, this can be very dangerous as owners dont like the truth. we have asked for help from the rspca and police and dont get any help, and then get a phonecall from the rspca asking for a donaton. we have offered grazing and stables and labour to the rspca who turned the offer down and want a donation of £15 instead. there are still horses in the area that need help and something needs to be done. Yours Mandy Macklin.

By MandyMacklin at 14:02 on 12/02/12
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The rspca should be shut down. Rely on donations is a huge joke, just ask thier accountants how much they spend on Christmas partys. Thier offices are so plush it makes you wonder if its a charity or a hotel your walking into. Less time spent fighting court cases trying to take money from deceased peoples familys and doing a real job would be more in order. STOP donating to these people because its not getting sent to branches and the top brass are living the high life off of it.

By dameja at 11:41 on 09/02/12
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Also, all of you people saying folks should "go on to the property and feed and water the animals instead of complaining, ect." Well I don't know about you folks in the U.K., but over here in the USA, if you go onto someone's property, regardless of your intentions, then you're liable to get shot for your trouble. The owner might think you're their to STEAL their stuff...or their animals...

I know it's hard to blame an owner for neglect, (apparently) but if you don't hold the owner's of these animals responsible, then why have laws to protect animals in the first place? Sounds like a waste of time and tax dollars coming up with laws that won't be enforced, to me anyway.

By TazMage at 00:43 on 05/02/12
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Also:
Ms Kennett added: "The difficulty now is that the owner is denying responsibility for the foal, but we certainly aren't giving up on this incident."

Ok, so the OWNER is denying responsibility for the foal. Tell me please, if you can, just WHO is responsible if the OWNER isn't?? Sounds to me like you've given up before you've even started. I have a question, is this "OWNER" someone who is also a DONOR to your organization? Just wondering since you seem to be making a TON of EXCUSES for the s.o.b....

By TazMage at 00:31 on 05/02/12
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"You can tell people to improve conditions but, at the end of the day, if they are not breaking the law and causing animals to suffer, there's not a lot we can do." - RSPCA spokesperson Klare Kennett said.

Well geeee. If a foal DYING because it doesn't have food and water isn't SUFFERING, then WHAT THE HELL IS??? Keep taking donations and feeding b.s. to the donators, I WON'T be one of them...

By TazMage at 00:24 on 05/02/12
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