Vet puts down sick pony found in field to end its suffering
A pony had to be put down in its field after it became too weak and emaciated to survive.
Fears had been raised by a husband and wife who became worried about several horses in a field off Farleigh Hill, Tovil.
The couple, from Barming, who didn’t want to be identified, had taken some carrots to the animals after seeing them on an earlier visit and became concerned they were malnourished.
The husband said: “We were worried about the state some of them were in, so we reported them to the RSPCA, but when we went back on Friday with some food we found one of them dead.
“There were about seven other horses in the field and they were all around it looking distressed.”
An RSPCA spokesman said it was made aware of a pony collapsing on Wednesday, April 12.
“An inspector and a vet attended as a matter of urgency, but sadly when they arrived they found the horse was extremely emaciated and weak,” they added.
“The pony was so poorly the vet decided the kindest option was to put it to sleep to end its suffering.
“Eight further horses were seized by the police and placed into the RSPCA’s care.
“The remaining animals have been examined by a specialist equine vet and inspectors will continue to monitor their welfare.”
The charity is now looking after the eight horses and is trying to contact the owner about the situation. Several horses remain in the field.
It is the owner, and not the RSPCA, who will have to remove the body.
If an animal is found on public land, it is up to the local authority to remove the body, but if it is on private land, arrangements must be made by the owner. The charity is trying to trace the person responsible.
The spokesman added: “We would urge anyone with information about where these horses have come from or who owns them to contact us on 0300 123 8018 as soon as possible.
“This is a heartbreaking situation and we would like to thank the person who found the pony and contacted us for help.”
The charity has been dealing with a spate of calls involving abandoned horses in Kent.
The organisation has 200 horses in private boarding where it has rescued them over the last year.