Five rescued horses ready for rehoming
World Horse Welfare says thousands of horses are subjected to horse smuggling each year.
Five horses from the ‘Dover 26’ – 26 horses discovered in an illegal smuggling operation at Dover port – are now ready to be rehomed.
The group, including a filly, had been undergoing rehabilitation from World Horse Welfare at its Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
Authorities discovered 26 horses in the smuggling operation. Several were lacking the appropriate paperwork and were suffering from health issues which made them unfit to travel. Some were believed to be destined for a European slaughterhouse.
After World Horse Welfare’s initial assessment, one of the horses had to be euthanised to avoid further suffering. Following this, a further two horses required euthanasia due to their conditions.
The other horses were taken to the charity’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk. The team have since been providing the horses with specialist care and tailor-made rehabilitation programmes.
Now, despite their difficult experiences, the first five of the Dover 26 are ready for rehoming. Crocus, Dior, Foxy, Heyday and Mair join over 70 other horses and ponies from World Horse Welfare that are looking for a permanent home.
Lizzie Bird, assistant farm manager at Hall Farm, said: “I remember so clearly the arrival of the Dover 26, they were so frightened and they’d clearly all been through a harrowing experience. Soon after they arrived, we found that the group was carrying equine influenza and the outbreak forced the farm to go into lockdown while the horses were treated.
“Since then, we have worked hard to build their trust in people with careful handling and dedicated care. We are delighted that the first of the group are ready to rehome.”
World Horse Welfare says that thousands of horses are subjected to horse smuggling each year, enduring long journeys and poor conditions.
It has now launched a campaign to bring the issue of horse smuggling into Parliament. The charity is encouraging supporters to write to their MP to ask them to speak up about horse smuggling in Parliament.
For more information about rehoming a horse from the charity, visit its website. To take part in World Horse Welfare’s campaign against horse smuggling, follow this link.
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