Neglected horses find a new home thanks to Wirral Council

Two horses, who were in danger of dying from neglect by their previous owner, have been given a new home – and lease of life – thanks to Wirral Council’s Animal Welfare team and new legislation.

The horses – a mare and her foal – were brought to the attention of the team by concerned local people in Meols around six weeks ago. After inspecting the pair, an officer served a notice on the owner requiring him either to improve the conditions the horses were kept in or risk having them taken away.

Three weeks after the notice was served, the officer returned to find the horses in worse condition than before. A local vet was then called in who agreed that the risk to the horse’s welfare was so critical that they needed to be rescued quickly.

A temporary home and proper veterinary care were arranged, while officers obtained warrants from Wirral Magistrates to use the new Animal Welfare Act - which allows officers to intervene on matters of animal cruelty or poor welfare - to assume legal ownership of the horses in order to find them a new home permanently.

Phil Dickson, Environmental Health Manager, said: “We were extremely concerned about the poor condition of these animals when we discovered them and are delighted that this complex situation has reached such a happy conclusion.

“The foal will spend the next three years or so in the company of other foals and will need to gain a lot more strength before it can be ridden, while its mother is likely to be given around six months to fully recover from her ordeal before she is allowed to take riders at the school.

“This is exactly the kind of case that the new act was brought in to help us with. The owner was given every opportunity to help his horses, but failed to do so, so it was good that we could take positive action ourselves to safeguard the animals.

“Our officers won’t hesitate to use the Act in the future in similar circumstances.”