World Horse Welfare's Penny Farm is home to around 65 horses at any one time but is presently caring for 73. Fly-Grazing is on the increase and is becoming progressively widespread throughout the UK and thousands of equines are at immediate risk of becoming a welfare concern. World Horse Welfare, the international horse charity, has four Rescue and Rehoming Centres in Britain. Most of the horses coming into this centre may have been neglected, abused or abandoned; others after the owner was prosecuted for animal cruelty offences.
All of the major equine rescue and rehoming organisations in England and Wales are under immense pressure due to the increasing number of horses and ponies needing their help. There is a real concern among all of these charities that should there be another harsh winter, they will be physically unable to cope with the number of horses needing urgent care. The charities have been working together to cope with the rising number of suffering horses that need to be rescued. As the law stands Fly-Grazing issues, concerning private landowners, remain a civil matter and do not come under the authority of Equine Welfare Charities. There is no legislation currently in place to tackle Fly-Grazing issues in England. Welfare Organisations are urging the Government to tackle issues and take action against those responsible; enforcement laws are desperately needed giving local authorities the power to seize or impound horses that are abandoned on public or private land. Landowners beware! Some owners may seek permission and rent the land legitimately, but once the agreement expires; the owner then could refuse to move the horses and continue to Fly-Graze illegally. At present it can be extremely expensive and distressing for landowners to secure the removal of such horses from their land. Abandonment of equines is illegal under (Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006) and the Animals Act 1971. A person commits an offence if they fail to provide for the needs of an animal; however, prosecution is often impossible as the process of abandonment means that it is unlikely that the owner will be traced. Although the Animal Welfare Act 2006 can be referred to in defining the fact that an offence has occurred; it does not offer a solution to what happens to the animal after it has been abandoned.
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Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
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