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

 

 

Colleferro confiscation, many more animals removed to safety and new adoptive homes. But the owner carries on as though nothing has happened

Return to the list

29/07/2013

(2013, July 28th.)

Thursday 25 and Friday 26 July:  a further 49 equines left Colleferro for their adoptive homes.

Meanwhile another 9 equines – 5 donkeys, 3 horses and one hinny – have been seized and taken to a temporary home.  They were discovered abandoned in the same area as the others, without food or water.  In the spot where they were found, and just a few metres from the entrance to the property, there was clear evidence that a horse that had starved to death had been buried just a few days previously. IHP has asked the Ministry of Health for the retrieval of the body and a post-mortem.

The Colleferro seizure seems to have no end, in spite of over 200 equines having  now been taken away to safety….and each visit presents an ever more horrifying spectacle.  While we are working to give medical treatment to the animals and transport them to safety, we continue to request that the Procura of Velletri and the Procura of Frosinone take urgent action to put a definitive stop to the actions of the person responsible for these appalling dealings.  Incredibly, he is still, a full six months after the start of the seizure, free and unimpeded, moving the animals around as he pleases as if none of this had ever happened.

Over the two days of the operation itself, the rounding up and then the loading and departure of the equines was as challenging and laborious as on previous occasions, from both the practical and the emotional point of view for all involved; the team as usual showed admirable cool-headedness and skill in an urgent and difficult situation.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved for their tireless and excellent work in a most challenging and frequently risky situation”, commented Sonny Richichi, Director of Operations of the Italian Horse Protection Association. “Therefore thanks - on behalf of all the animals removed to safety - go to all the volunteers, not only to those in the ‘front line’,  but also those behind the scenes whose ongoing support is so vital to such an operation.  And once again a big THANK YOU to all those who have given adoptive homes to these animals, not least for waiting so patiently for the animals to arrive, often in the middle of the night."

IHP, ENPA and Rifugio degli Asinelli, the three associations involved in the operations, still very much need your help and support.  In the June round up there was a very badly injured horse which subsequently underwent an operation at the Perugia University Veterinary Clinic, under the direction of Prof Marco Pepe.  The operation was successful, although far from straightforward:  a piece of a principal bone from one leg had to be removed, while in another leg they had to clean out numerous small wounds including some with necrotic tissue. This horse will be ready to leave the clinic next week provided an adoptive home can be found for him with someone knowledgeable enough to dress the wounds properly, since full post-operative recovery will take several weeks.  The horse was taken to the clinic several weeks ago, as soon as he was found in a terrible state during the requisition, on the orders of the Procura of Frosinone. However the stay in the clinic, treatment so far administered, and of course the operation itself, are hugely expensive and as usual these costs will be sustained by IHP, ENPA, and the Donkey Sanctuary, who have also covered the main part of costs for the transfer of equines going to adoptive homes.  20 animals are still waiting to be rehomed – they are currently hosted on a farm, with their maintenance paid for by the three associations.  There are still another 5 animals to be formally seized.

We therefore still need the help of all who care about these animals who have been rescued from a tragic fate.  Every donation, no matter how modest, will be gratefully received.  Please help us.  Thank you!

  • What we do