Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Harrowing tales of equine suffering reported in Ukraine
"Some of the lorry drivers I have met coming out have been shot at, shelled and beaten up, evacuating surviving horses" - David Rendle.
BEVA president elect speaks on experience at the Ukrainian border.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is highlighting the suffering of horses and their carers in Ukraine, and is calling for urgent financial support in association with the British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund.

David Rendle, president elect of BEVA returned from the Polish-Ukrainian border earlier this week after delivering essential veterinary supplies to support, treat and relocate horses from Ukraine.

“Horses remain under serious threat within occupied areas of the Ukraine, with horrendous accounts of animals continuing to be maimed or killed, while grooms and carers risk their own lives by refusing to abandon them,” said David, who received pictures and testimony of many attacks carried out on stables in Bucha, Irpin and other premises north of Kyiv.

David continued: “It is hard to understand what could motivate anyone to perform these deliberate acts of cruelty.

“Random shootings, stabbings and burnings are widely reported and pictured on social media, we have no idea how many horses are dead and how many injured, but it has to be a significant number.

“Some of the lorry drivers I have met coming out have been shot at, shelled and beaten up, evacuating surviving horses. They are taking risks that we would consider totally unacceptable to move animals out and supplies in; I have nothing but admiration for the bravery of the Ukrainian people.

“Ever conscious that there is an equal humanitarian need you feel very small and rather cowardly that you aren’t permitted to go into Ukraine to help the people and animals that require treatment.”

Ukrainian veterinary surgeon Anatoly Levitsky, who is working in Kyiv, gave BEVA an account of one stable near Borodianka, where the horses, which were supporting children with medical conditions, were cruelly attacked by the Russian army.

“When Russian bandits in army uniform came to the village, they set fire to the stable and started shooting the horses that tried to escape,” said Anatoly.

“Some horses ran away, others were wounded, and some were burned down. After the building was burned, Russian soldiers went away and horses that escaped were wandering around the village and trying to find the feed.

“Step by step, people living in the village collected the horses and keep one or two horses in their yards.

“They reached out a young veterinary doctor, Zhenia Verbinets, and asked her to come to village and to heal a wounded horse. She conducted field operation, removed a lot of bullets from body of the animal. She obtained information that horses have nothing to eat. Next morning a truck with hay was sent to this village. Maybe this action will save lots of other animals.

“Now we control this situation and will be ready to send the food for the horses as soon as they need. The owner has called us and expressed his gratitude, but we are thankful to all people who keep with horses in their yards.

“Now we are at the stage when food for horses is more important than the medicine, but everything is connected. While I write letter to you, Zhenia Gorpinich is treating the horse with colic and of course needs medicines or even surgery.”

The British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund is accepting donations to fund urgent veterinary treatment, supplies and the relocation of endangered horses. To make a donation visit the website here.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.