Foal dies in Faversham field despite calls to RSPCA
AN EIGHT-month-old foal left to fend for itself died despite a flurry of calls to the RSPCA.
Neighbours alerted the animal charity on at least six different occasions after realising the pony, and seven other horses, had been left in a field without food or water.
They say the animals, in a field off Straight Hill, Faversham Road, had no water for four days and no food for two.
Although an RSPCA inspector visited the site, the foal was found dead in the field on Wednesday.
One resident, who refused to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "We are appalled and angry.
"The death was entirely preventable had it been cared for properly or received help in time.
"People who pass the field regularly on the Newnham Valley road see what is going on and have reported the situation on many occasions to the RSPCA and local police but nothing has been done to help the animals.
"Up until now, they have somehow managed to survive but, on this occasion, one had become so weak it collapsed before being let out and died the following day."
The owners had shut the horses in another part of the field following a motorbike-racing weekend held on the land.
Similar events are held in the field every winter.
Residents said they had expressed concerns to the RSPCA over the animals' access to hay, straw, food and water during the motorbike weekends for the past two years.
RSPCA spokesman Klare Kennett said: "We received complaints about the lack of water and an inspector had gone out and dealt with that.
"You can tell people to improve conditions but, at the end of the day, if they are not breaking the law and causing animals to suffer, there's not a lot we can do.
Ms Kennett added: "The difficulty now is that the owner is denying responsibility for the foal, but we certainly aren't giving up on this incident."
The remaining animals have food and water and are thought to be healthy.
There was no sign of the owners on the site when a reporter from the Times visited.
Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone found guilty of abandoning or neglecting an animal can face a fine of up to £20,000 or six months in prison.
To report a mistreated, neglected, injured or distressed animal, call the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999
11 Comments
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by MandyMacklin
Sunday, February 12 2012, 2:02PM
“my friend and i phoned the rspca on many occasions, one paticular horse we had to purchase in order to save it as the rspca seemed to not be able to do anything about the situation that was getting worse. i recieve a lot of phone calls about distressed horses oin this area and have been out to them all. some we have helped if neccasery and will continue to do so, this can be very dangerous as owners dont like the truth. we have asked for help from the rspca and police and dont get any help, and then get a phonecall from the rspca asking for a donaton. we have offered grazing and stables and labour to the rspca who turned the offer down and want a donation of £15 instead. there are still horses in the area that need help and something needs to be done. Yours Mandy Macklin.”
by dameja
Thursday, February 09 2012, 11:41AM
“The rspca should be shut down. Rely on donations is a huge joke, just ask thier accountants how much they spend on Christmas partys. Thier offices are so plush it makes you wonder if its a charity or a hotel your walking into. Less time spent fighting court cases trying to take money from deceased peoples familys and doing a real job would be more in order. STOP donating to these people because its not getting sent to branches and the top brass are living the high life off of it.”
by TazMage
Sunday, February 05 2012, 12:43AM
“Also, all of you people saying folks should "go on to the property and feed and water the animals instead of complaining, ect." Well I don't know about you folks in the U.K., but over here in the USA, if you go onto someone's property, regardless of your intentions, then you're liable to get shot for your trouble. The owner might think you're their to STEAL their stuff...or their animals...
I know it's hard to blame an owner for neglect, (apparently) but if you don't hold the owner's of these animals responsible, then why have laws to protect animals in the first place? Sounds like a waste of time and tax dollars coming up with laws that won't be enforced, to me anyway.”
by TazMage
Sunday, February 05 2012, 12:31AM
“Also:
Ms Kennett added: "The difficulty now is that the owner is denying responsibility for the foal, but we certainly aren't giving up on this incident."
Ok, so the OWNER is denying responsibility for the foal. Tell me please, if you can, just WHO is responsible if the OWNER isn't?? Sounds to me like you've given up before you've even started. I have a question, is this "OWNER" someone who is also a DONOR to your organization? Just wondering since you seem to be making a TON of EXCUSES for the s.o.b....”
by TazMage
Sunday, February 05 2012, 12:24AM
“"You can tell people to improve conditions but, at the end of the day, if they are not breaking the law and causing animals to suffer, there's not a lot we can do." - RSPCA spokesperson Klare Kennett said.
Well geeee. If a foal DYING because it doesn't have food and water isn't SUFFERING, then WHAT THE HELL IS??? Keep taking donations and feeding b.s. to the donators, I WON'T be one of them...”
by freakntalyn
Saturday, February 04 2012, 9:58PM
“The RSPCA ore chuffing useless unless Rolf Harris or the tv cameras are there. Waste of time maybe if they put more money into the actual helping of animals instead of all the tug ya heart tv adverts and swanky new buildings they might be more effective, but then again probably not. Could i urge everyone to ring the British Horse Society or the World Horse Welfare if you see a horse/pony in trouble. They are much more likely to attend ad actually DO something.”
by Poohbearz
Saturday, February 04 2012, 1:09PM
“agrees with fjordlover... why didnt those who reported feed the foal????? understaffed?? so what!!!! how much staff does it take to go pick some grass and carry a bottle of water????? LAME EXCUSES!!!! they were there to view... plently of chances to sort this out :0((( this is happening far to often to say the least..lots of people do fundraising./ donating to this charity..some charities are far worse off (money wise) and yet they still and always will put animals first!! regardless!! its about time the so called RSPCA changed its way and views before people change theirs and consider more worthy charities to step in!! the only innocent one in all this is the one who died via stupid protocols!!! dissapointed is an understatement :0(((”
by Poohbearz
Saturday, February 04 2012, 1:09PM
“agrees with fjordlover... why didnt those who reported feed the foal????? understaffed?? so what!!!! how much staff does it take to go pick some grass and carry a bottle of water????? LAME EXCUSES!!!! they were there to view... plently of chances to sort this out :0((( this is happening far to often to say the least..lots of people do fundraising./ donating to this charity..some charities are far worse off (money wise) and yet they still and always will put animals first!! regardless!! its about time the so called RSPCA changed its way and views before people change theirs and consider more worthy charities to step in!! the only innocent one in all this is the one who died via stupid protocols!!! dissapointed is an understatement :0(((”
by thelastvictim
Friday, February 03 2012, 9:11PM
“the RSPCA are trying to take on more then they have the staff to handle. they are called out to so many stupid things where people ASSUME an animal is being neglected I am an example of this. In my case where I have to deal with an RSPCA inspector a minimum of once a year and as much as once a month, because I have a dog with a permanent skin condition called dermatitis and I spend a fortune in things for her skin. and people are always calling the RSPCA to come and deal with my poor dog. I have to waste both theirs and my time showing them the medication, the food, let them look at the animals, give them my vets info, then then have to go and check with my vets what's going on and all kinds of stuff, when that time could have been spent on a case just like this foal. So people the advice is, check with the owner what's going on, see if there is something YOU might be able to do yourself to help, do not call out the RSPCA unless is it truly a genuine case, treat them like you would the emergency services such as the fire or ambulance, not a commodity. they have limited staffing and every call they go to that's not a true genuine case, just one that's miss understood or over judged because your shy to find out the facts, It COSTS lives!”
by truthfighter
Friday, February 03 2012, 8:39PM
“In response to fjordlover, if the individuals who reported left food or water, the RSPCA would not respond at all, as they would say they have access to food/water and are therefore not being neglected. I know this as fact as that is exactly what they told me to do regarding a stray animal near me, because i was feeding it and leaving a box for it to rest in, they wouldn't attend, was advised to stop feeding, take shelter away and if problem persisted to call them back in 14 days. Those who reported did so under the misconception that the RSPCA would help, but sadly that is not the case anymore”