(7 June 2013)

During a long and difficult day, yesterday 50 equines were seized: 16 horses, 21 ponies, 7 donkeys, 4 mules and 2 hinnies. Among these numbered many pregnant mares still with this year’s young foals at foot.

It is not easy to describe adequately just what is involved in herding together so many animals spread out over more than 50 hectares (approx. 124 acres) – animals who have become half wild and are terrified in the extreme of human beings –get them all into a large hangar, and then send them one by one into the vet inspection pen to be examined and microchipped. The tension and the risks are ever-present: for example trying to prevent a 600kg animal from panicking and breaking down all the barriers and fences and maybe running over someone. It is a tribute to the very high level of competence and know-how of all involved that no-one got hurt. We will publish a video very soon.

So – thanks to exceptional team work all went as well as it could, with the first part of the operation concluded in the late afternoon. Now our work is to find homes for them with people capable and trustworthy enough to guarantee certain set standards of welfare. All potential homes are carefully checked out. Anyone interested in taking in one of these equines should send an email to the Ministry of Health and the IHP c/o these email addresses: tutela.animale@sanita.it and ihp@horseprotection.it

As in the case of previous seizures, there was no lack of unpleasant surprises: as we went into the property we found two dead bullocks, probably there for several days already. Immediately after that, we found a stallion with a very nasty wound on one leg: he will be transferred to the University Veterinary Clinic in Perugia, probably today. We also found a pony with one eye missing and others with what looked like barbed-wire wounds, some light some very deep. And various types of parasites, especially on the donkeys.

To date the total number of equines seized at Colleferro has risen to the incredible figure of 190, and that is not counting the numerous foals born since the seizure began or those still being carried by the pregnant mares. This is a record for a single seizure, certainly in Italy, possibly world-wide.

With the exception of medical supplies donated by some firms (Demas, Acme, Merial, Equality e Rimas-Hypermix), all the expenses of this huge seizure operation have been borne by the associations, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the IHP, Donkey Sanctuary, ENPA and now also Legambiente. We still urgently need more funds, and any contribution, no matter how modest, will be very gratefully received. You can donate now by following this link:
http://www.horseprotection.it/dett_articolo.asp?id_a=615


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Photo gallery (Warning: some images might hurt your sensitivity)

Requisition second phase, 18 April 2013

Fresh horrors at Colleferro, 26 March 2013

Colleferro, the images no-one published 13 March 2013

Colleferro Diary, 14 February 2013

Colleferro Diary, 7 February 2013

Colleferro, the start of the seizure 30 January 2013

Colleferro Emergency, 23 January 2013

STRISCIA LA NOTIZIA REPORTAGE, 16 January 2013