Post by Tracyb on Apr 10, 2008 21:23:48 GMT 1
Please sign this petition-cross posted from another forum
www.gopetition.com/online/18321.html
The RSPCA described the decision by a judge to allow meat trader Jamie Gray to take back 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies as "devastating and sickening".
Gray, who is part of the travelling community, makes a living by buying horses cheaply and selling them on the Continent for food.
A total of 111 horses, ponies and donkeys were seized from Spindles farm in Hyde Heath, Buckinghamshire, in January.
Many were found among the remains of rotting animals and needed round-the-clock care at horse sanctuaries before they regained enough strength to stand. Investigators found 31 dead animals.
But even though the discovery provoked widespread outrage, Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth allowed some of the animals to go back to the farm.
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Starving and bedraggled: A horse that survived the farm hell. Twenty eight others were not so lucky
During an application by Mr Gray at Oxford Magistrates' Court for the animals to be returned, the judge partially granted the request, saying "there is no evidence to show they are in any danger".
He ordered the remaining horses to be sold at auction, with the proceeds going to Mr Gray, minus any legal costs.
The RSPCA is looking at "all available legal avenues" to challenge the decision to "secure the welfare of the animals involved".
RSPCA inspector Kirsty Hampton said: "We are devastated the court has ordered that some of the animals be returned to the defendants, as we have grave concerns about their ability to care for them.
www.gopetition.com/online/18321.html
The RSPCA described the decision by a judge to allow meat trader Jamie Gray to take back 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies as "devastating and sickening".
Gray, who is part of the travelling community, makes a living by buying horses cheaply and selling them on the Continent for food.
A total of 111 horses, ponies and donkeys were seized from Spindles farm in Hyde Heath, Buckinghamshire, in January.
Many were found among the remains of rotting animals and needed round-the-clock care at horse sanctuaries before they regained enough strength to stand. Investigators found 31 dead animals.
But even though the discovery provoked widespread outrage, Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth allowed some of the animals to go back to the farm.
Scroll down for more...
Starving and bedraggled: A horse that survived the farm hell. Twenty eight others were not so lucky
During an application by Mr Gray at Oxford Magistrates' Court for the animals to be returned, the judge partially granted the request, saying "there is no evidence to show they are in any danger".
He ordered the remaining horses to be sold at auction, with the proceeds going to Mr Gray, minus any legal costs.
The RSPCA is looking at "all available legal avenues" to challenge the decision to "secure the welfare of the animals involved".
RSPCA inspector Kirsty Hampton said: "We are devastated the court has ordered that some of the animals be returned to the defendants, as we have grave concerns about their ability to care for them.