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‘Smuggled’ pregnant mare gives birth after being rescued
The mare and foal have been named after the founder of World Horse Welfare.
The horse was one of 26 animals found in Dover. 

The last of five pregnant mares rescued after they were discovered by authorities in Dover, Kent, has given birth to a healthy foal.

The mare was one of 26 horses and ponies, dubbed the Dover 26, who were abandoned at a holding yard. It is believed that the horses were being smuggled and may have ended up in a European slaughterhouse.

Only 19 of the animals had the necessary paperwork and many of them had health issues which made them unfit to travel. One of them was in such a poor state it had to be euthanised.

Since the rescue, the animals have been looked after by the charity World Horse Welfare at Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton, Norfolk. The mare has been named Ada and the filly foal Cole, after Ada Cole, the founder of World Horse Welfare.

The charity has created a #StopHorseSmuggling pledge for supporters to sign to urge decision makers to crack down on the illegal trade.

Megan Jarvis, a groom at Hall Farm looking after Ada and Cole, said: “These two are the lucky ones as they have a bright future ahead of them and once Cole has been weaned our charity will ensure they are found loving new homes.

“I can’t bear to think about all the other horses that aren’t as lucky as them and having to go on even longer journeys in worse conditions. I, for one, will be signing the pledge and hope that others will join me in doing the same.”

Although the Dover 26 were rescued, nobody has faced legal action over the incident.

Kim Ayling, senior public affairs officer at World Horse Welfare, said: “Unfortunately due to the lack of information to be able to properly trace the background of the Dover 26 movements before being discovered, it has made a possible prosecution quite challenging.

“We have approached all of the local authorities who could have taken legal action and none of them have wanted to take that forward.”

The charity’s pledge can be signed here.

Image © Shutterstock

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BSAVA's new president starts role

News Story 1
 Julian Hoad has been confirmed as the new president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), taking over from Carl Gorman.

The veterinary surgeon is the BSAVA's 67th president, and has described stepping into the role as the pinnacle of his veterinary career.

Speaking at the BSAVA's AGM, Dr Hoad said: "I really do believe that the BSAVA will continue to go from strength to strength and will continue to maintain its relevance and position as the indispensable voice of the small animal veterinary profession." 

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News Shorts
Rise in temperature means increased bluetongue risk

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has warned that the recent rise in temperature means there is now an increased risk of bluetongue in England.

Although there have been no confirmed cases of the disease since March, the most recent risk assessment found that there is a very high probability of the virus being brought over by windborne midges from northern Europe.

Farms along the east and south coast of England, from Norfolk to East Sussex, are at the highest risk. Farmers are being asked to monitor their animals regularly for signs of the virus.

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: "We know that the likelihood of bluetongue virus entering Great Britain is increasing and so I would urge farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency."