Shropshire Star

Slaughter threat for ponies dumped in Shropshire field

Ponies are being threatened with slaughter after being dumped in a field in Shropshire.

Published
Ponies abandoned on a field in Pentre, near Nesscliffe.

The 12 Welsh cob ponies were abandoned on a site owned by Severn Trent.

The company has issued a 14-day notice and warned that the animals could be destroyed if their owner cannot be traced.

It comes as the RSPCA warns of "crisis levels" of horses being rescued or taken in to care in the region.

In 2012 just one horse was rescued by the charity in Shropshire,but that figure rose to 36 last year and is set to increase again this year.

Nationwide, last year the RSPCA rescued 1,526 horses, compared with 901 the previous year.

A legal notice placed by Severn Trent next to the field in Pentre, near Nesscliffe, provides a deadline that runs out today.

The horses are being cared for near a water treatment plant, closed to the MoD's Nesscliffe training camp.

The notice warns that, without the owners coming forward or a new home being found, the animals face being "humanely destroyed".

Severn Trent bosses spokeswoman Sarah McArthur said today: "This has been caused by what is known as fly grazing when animal owners are not able to care for their animals.

"It is a UK-wide problem and we are working with various charities including the RSPCA to look at our options."

She added: "We were made aware of the ponies on the land when a local resident called the RSPCA ."

Charities are warning the number of abandoned horses in the Midlands is reaching critical levels, blaming irresponsible breeders and rising costs in keeping the animals.

The RSPCA has demanded tighter controls to keep track of owners.A spokesman said: "Complaints investigated by RSPCA inspectors have risen 16 fold since 2012 and calls on abandoned horses are up by 75 per cent."

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