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

 

 

Emaciated horse at Vecchiano (Province of Pisa), owner reported to the authorities by IHP [VIDEO]

06/11/2013

(6 November 2013)

Following reports from local people, over the past few weeks we have been keeping track of a horse in Vecchiano (Filettole, Pisa area), which is in very poor physical condition and not being looked after properly. He is in a tiny pen, alongside a wood, with no food or water, surrounded by rubbish and all sorts of junk.

On 23 October the Corpo Forestale dello Stato (Provincial division of Pisa and local force of Calci), the vets of the ASL/5 (local Health Authority), and an IHP staff member intervened. The official and stated opinion of both vets, Dr Marco del Torto (USL 5, Director for Animal Health) and Dr Maurizio Calabrò (USL 5 vet) was that the animal is clearly emaciated, and “kept in conditions which are totally unacceptable for the needs of the species”, given that there is no shelter or food and that the horse is standing deep in mud and his own excrement.

This intervention was filmed by a Striscia La Notizie team (see the transmission on Canale 5).

On that same day, and on the following days – also through our legal advisor – IHP has repeatedly requested the Magistrature to order the immediate seizure of the animal on the grounds of its poor state of health.

We regret to report that the authorities have not taken any action at all, and to date no measures have been taken to ensure the welfare of this animal.