...my treasures do not sparkle they clink,
they shine in the sun and neigh in the night...

 

 

Equine Infectious Anaemia positive horse saved by IHP and Progetto Islander

22/02/2017

The umpteenth case of "stray horses" this time took a different turn and happy ending. But this case highlights how current rules are insufficient for horses.



In Campania, as in other regions, horses are bred and managed by pseudo breeders, who often operate illegally without any regards for law.  Here, horses are bought and sold without documentation, sometimes stolen and often left out looking for food, even in other people’s land or on the streets. Over the past six months, near Salerno two horses were abandoned and tied to a tree – and eventually died of starvation. They were reported after it was too late.



Few months ago, in Agropoli, on our complaint, 17 equines were seized. They are currently at a regional equestrian center, waiting for the permit that would allow associations, such as IHP, to relocate them to a rescue center and find them a new place to live.
We came to know about Spirit just a day before he was to be killed.

Found wandering and severely debilitated last November, he was put under administrative seizure by the Mayor of Monte San Giacomo (SA). Despite being devoid of microchip, a pseudo breeder claimed his ownership. In the meantime, Spirit tested positive for equine infectious anemia. Due to the current legislation, the breeder was required to confine him in isolation.  At that point, the pseudo breeder declared that the horse was not his and disappeared.

After spending 3 months at an authorized parking stall, the City considered the situation no longer sustainable. And on January 30, the mayor issued an order to slaughter Spirit. Luckily, few volunteers reported this situation to Project Islander and IHP. Both these organizations persuaded the mayor to revoke the ordinance for the slaughter and requested to transfer him IHP’s Rescue Center in Montaione.

"The issue of stray horses is taking worrying proportions” - says Nicole Berlusconi, President of Project Islander. “This is mainly because local authorities do not have the means to face the arrogant attitude of these pseudo breeders. A technical committee comprising of Ministry of Health Authority, the police and associations is needed to come up with possible solutions and stop these abuses".

"The case of Spirit places us, once again, in front of the anachronistic norms about Equine Infectious Anaemia” - says Sonny Richichi, President of IHP. In case of endemic and dangerous diseases in dogs, such as leishmania, correct measures have already been taken. Thanks to common sense and awareness, this has helped prevent such diseases and contain the risks. It’s time that even horses, donkeys, mules and hinnies are given equal dignity and right to a normal and happy life".



Spirit: his arrival at IHP Rescue Center


Spirit meets his new friends: like him, they are EIA positive and perfectly healthy


RELATED ARTICLES:

Requisition of horses in Agropoli (SA)

Equine Infectious Anaemia: the story of CSINSZKA