Rescue stories
Redwings helps council with prosecutions
Redwings has played a vital part in two successful prosecutions by Powys County Council.
In the first – a few days before Christmas - a woman was found guilty of not meeting the needs of her horses by providing a suitable environment, freedom from disease and distress or an appropriate and adequate diet. The woman’s horses were in poor condition and were being fed on sheep feed and unsoaked sugar beet, which is potentially very dangerous.
Conditions for the horses were totally unsuitable
Redwings was able to send a veterinary professional who advised the horses were at risk of suffering despite earlier warnings. Seven horses, together with a foal born later, are now living at our Norfolk headquarters and are progressing well, while one stallion sadly had to be euthanased a few months after his rescue.
At the end of January this year, the woman was banned from keeping horses for life and given a 12-month community order with 240 hours unpaid work and required to pay £14,000 in costs.
The horses have made a fantastic recovery
Another woman in a separate prosecution was sentenced to carry out 100 hours of community service following charges relating to the care of one mare and a donkey. Both equines had been given inadequate care resulting in their suffering, being fed a poor diet and not receiving proper care for their feet. She was also prosecuted for failing to apply for four horse passports. The mare and the donkey are now also living at Redwings and undergoing veterinary treatment and recuperation.
Gloria the donkey is now a favourite at our Oxhill centre
Lynn Cutress, our Chief Executive, explained that even though such cases have resulted in more horses to care for at Redwings it is always right for the sanctuary to step in: “Powys County Council needed our help in these two extreme cases and we were glad to provide it, initially with advice and an inspection and then by collecting the equines and offering them a home. They have been signed over to us and each will be assessed and considered for re-homing or they may remain permanent residents. We’re entirely funded by the public’s generosity and this is the kind of help I know our supporters want to see us giving.”
Report a welfare concern
If you want to report a horse, pony or donkey that you are concerned about, please see our get in touch section.
