Smuggled Horses Intercepted and Found is Distressing Condition at Dover Port

Twenty horses were discovered on an illegal transport in appalling conditions, with some suspected of being smuggled for fattening and slaughter despite the ban on live exports. The group included Irish Thoroughbreds, Connemaras, and leisure ponies, as well as legitimately transported animals. Many of the horses were sick and weak, crammed into an unsuitable lorry where one foal was found on the floor and unable to stand. Dover port officials were alerted and found the downed foal during inspection.

World Horse Welfare Field Officer Rebecca Carter described the distressing scene, noting that several horses were underweight and had contagious infections like strangles, abscesses, and pneumonia. Three unhandled foals were covered in feces, too terrified to be cleaned. Five of the Irish Thoroughbreds had to be euthanized due to their poor health. Carter highlighted the biosecurity risk posed by the horses carrying contagious diseases, endangering anyone they came into contact with.

Out of the 20 horses, seven in better health were reclaimed by their owners, while the remaining eight, including a pregnant mare and frightened foals, were abandoned. They were taken to World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk for care. Carter emphasized the broader issue beyond the individual horses’ health, stressing the biosecurity threat posed by the animals carrying contagious diseases. The rescue and rehoming efforts aimed to provide these neglected horses with a chance at a better life.

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