| Animal welfare officers to visit Appleby Horse Fair
EQUINE welfare specialists will be at Appleby Horse Fair, which starts tomorrow. Chief inspector Hyde is urging people to leave their dogs at home. Chief Insp Cathy Hyde, RSPCA national equine co-ordinator, said: "This is a large event involving thousands of horses and other animals and, whilst the vast majority of people attending treat their animals well, sadly, there are some that do not. "This is a horse fair and people should not bring other pets along. This will incorporate the charity's newly appointed specialist equine officers, a handpicked team of eight which was put together earlier this year in response to an increase in the number of incidents involving horses. "Horses can get 'spooked' by dogs and dogs can get trampled by horses. "We have a dedicated team, many of whom have substantial experience at Appleby Horse Fair, and this year, for the first time, part of our staff will be made up of our new specialist equine officers too. There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where anyone with any concerns about an animal can see someone. This will be staffed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am-4pm. "We want to do everything possible to make certain that those animals receive the care they need along with their owners can be dealt with appropriately, where necessary. "The temperature in enclosed spaces like these rises rapidly, causing heatstroke and the most terrible death. Four other animal welfare organisations are also sending officers - Redwings, World Horse Welfare, Donkey Sanctuary and Blue Cross. "In previous years we've pulled dead and dying dogs out of cars, caravans and awnings, all of which can get hot on even cloudy days. The RSPCA is also reminding people that selling dogs or birds at the fair is illegal and is urging people not to purchase them. |
Friday, 8 June 2012
Animal welfare officers to visit Appleby Horse Fair
