Animals rescued from 'squalid' farm

Published Monday, 28 November 2011

More than 60 horses, ponies and donkeys have been rescued from squalid conditions at a farm in Co Antrim.

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They were discovered living amongst the carcasses of nine dead animals by a vet at the site on Lisnevenagh Road last Tuesday.

Four of the 63 were found to be in such a bad state that they had to be humanely put down after being removed by police officers.

Thirty-three have been taken to the Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary and the Donkey Sanctuary and arrangements are being made to house the others.

"When police arrived at Lisnevenagh Road we were met with a truly heartbreaking scene," said Investigating officer Sgt Alison Liddle.

"These animals were effectively starving to death in the most dire of conditions - there was no clean bedding, no water and nowhere for them to move around.

"Live animals were being forced to live next to the rotting carcasses of other dead animals. No animal should be made to endure such horrendous cruelty."

Nicholas De Brauwere, Head of Welfare at Red Wings and Chairman of the National Equine Council, described the conditions as some of the worst he has seen.

"The conditions I witnessed in Antrim were as bad as anything I have seen in 20 years working in horse welfare," he said.

"It was imperative that action was taken to protect the horses, ponies and donkeys from further suffering.

"Crosskennan and the Donkey Sanctuary have now provided this safe haven and we are all extremely grateful to them. In this tough time of limited resources it was really quite humbling to see this kind of dedication to animal welfare."

Sgt Liddle said police are determined to catch those responsible.

"Every officer who attended has been affected by what they saw," she said.

"This has made us determined to pursue the persons responsible and make sure they are found amenable for their despicable cruelty in a court of law."

Anyone with information has been asked to come forward.

Comments

21 Comments

linda in belfast/ east wrote (538 days ago):

I have read the comments ref cruelty to animals and i just think that all the animal loving people here in n. ireland should really protest at the laws we have in this country regarding animal welfare. I really couldnt believe my eyes when i saw those poor horses and the distress they must have been going through and starving with it . this is human beings doing this animals put thier trust in us as we do them and this is how we thank them what does that say about us..the law really does need to change in this country and these so called human beings should be prosecuted for thier behaviour and the abuse they have inflicted on these poor animals and its up to us to change the law . in the meantime can we all try to help if we know this is happening and also help the sanctuary in helping the horses back to health and care and food and WARMTH AND LOVE THEY DEFINATELY DESERVE!!!!!

Curleyblue in Co.Antrim wrote (538 days ago):

I think this is despicable and I sincerely hope the Police prepare a prosecution file and the owner of these poor defenseless animals is jailed for this inhumane act and banned from keeping animals of any kind!! I totally agree with all the comments about the USPCA - they dont want to know - they certainly do not live up to theit name "Ulster Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Animals" - I would love to know just what it is they actually do?? I have phoned them on several occasions but they do not even return the calls - they never answer their phones or messages!! The animal welfare act in N.I. seriously needs updated, it hasn't been revised from 1972!! I know MLA Michelle Gildernew stated in Oct 2009 that she would have an amended act in place by May/June 2010 to include higher fines and sentences for animal cruelty but it hasn't happened yet!! and the Police are obliged to investigate EVERY report of animal cruelty despite what they may tell people - its a crime and has to be recorded as such and investigated!! They are the only ones who have any powers of entry in these cases!! Its the small rescues funded entirely by donations that do all the work and pick up the pieces of aftermaths like this one!!

a.mcclintock in Larne wrote (539 days ago):

Greed prevails in the majority of these cases. These people are not horse lovers but lovers of money. They just see £££'s. They don't care what or who they sell too, just see it as a tax evasion and a moneymaking excercise.They are as bad as puppymills with no thought or care for the creatures. Anyone who loves horses doesn't keep so many, doesn't starve them, and doesn't keep them in squalid conditions. You only have to go to horse fairs to see the poor animals there and the paces they go through. Those are the money grabbing greedy people who are cruel and wicked. Next time anyone reports a situation and its not dealt with by USPCA etc, don't wait a year, go to the reporters and let them see it. They love a story and so will highlight it for you and shame USPCA and Police into doing something. We have to be the eyes for these poor dumb creatures who are victims in all of this.

shannon in belfast wrote (541 days ago):

John your commnet is wrong! Animals have as much right to live as humans! Because they are animals doesnt mean they shouldnt be cared for.. They live as we do they were put on this earth for a reason. So many animals are goin extinct and you think that they should just be killed?? There should be more things done to stop cases like this happening again, soon there wont be enough room for badly treated animals to go and they will end up dying a painful death. Its horrible that this is even happening, people that are caught doing this should be punished severely!

jenna in newtownabbey wrote (541 days ago):

I agree with that idoit john above to some degree put we cant live animal to stave to death! And anyone who can do that has a very sick side to them. And yes the law is a JOKE there is no protection very animal what so ever! I do agree the police and uspca could do far more and at times do nothing about the sitution which could have been prevent it the first place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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