Rescue stories
Banned owner loses appeal to keep horses
Fourteen horses have been signed over to Redwings following a rescue from Wales in 2007.
The horses came into Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s care following a large rescue of 49 equines from North East Wales in December 2007.
In December this year they were finally signed over into the permanent ownership of the charity, following several appeals by the prosecuted owner determined to prevent the signing-over. Redwings is delighted at the decision which means a secure future is guaranteed for the equines it has been caring for.
The equines had been found by Wrexham Trading Standards and the RSPCA very underweight, with a bad worm infestation and crammed into overcrowded pens and stables at a 44-acre site in Penycae. The council seized the animals and boarded them with some carefully chosen private yards in the region for a time, later asking Redwings to collect a group of 14 who were then brought across to Norfolk.
One of the group, named Trixie, when she was found
The group - comprising nine young colts, three mares and two young fillies –made a good recovery following their ordeal and now they have been signed over to Redwings they are being individually assessed. Once their long-term needs have been decided and they have received any treatment or behavioural training they might need, it is hoped the younger ones may even be able to find loving new homes with families through Redwings’ Guardianship Scheme.
One of the more senior members of the group is Trixie, a pretty grey mare found in a very emaciated state at the site. Trixie is 20 years old and is now living at a Redwings centre in Norfolk – she has made a wonderful recovery but as she is an older mare she will always remain in the permanent ownership of the charity where she can receive all the specialist care she needs.
Trixie as she looks now, at a Redwings centre in Norfolk
The criminal case previously brought against the owner saw her receive an eight-week prison sentence and a two-year ban from keeping animals. However she appealed three times against the equines being signed over to the charities, claiming they did not belong to her, but at the final appeal heard this week (1st December 2008) the judge signed all equines over, meaning their futures are secure.
Wrexham County Borough Council said: “We are very pleased to have finally got the right result and secured the future for these horses and ponies. Thanks must go to Redwings for their professionalism during the transport of their 14 horses and for all their help in caring for these animals while the legal process took place.”
Nicolas De Brauwere, Head of Welfare for Redwings, said: “We have been so impressed with how Wrexham Borough Council responded to this case and by their commitment to seeing it through to such a satisfactory conclusion. The Welsh Assembly and the local authorities in Wales are investing a lot of time and money into animal welfare and Redwings are committed to supporting this positive move.”
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