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

 

 

Serravalle Pistoiese – after 18 days we have finally succeeded in seizing two horses, but the third is still shut inside a loose box

20/10/2014

PHOTOS IHP INVESTIGATION

The case of the very poor condition horses shut for a whole year in small and squalid boxes– has had a partially successful outcome following the interventions by IHP and ENPA (read the article here) of 30 August and 8 September.

On Wednesday morning the ASL (Local Health Agency) and the Local Police returned to the premises and confirmed that apart from a minor clean-up of the area, nothing had changed since our first report: inadequate ramshackle and dangerous housing, and critical physical condition of the filly foal (poor skeletal development, inadequate nutrition etc). They therefore proceeded to legally seize two of the three horses and consign them into the care of IHP.

Still unexplained and unjustified is the decision not to seize the third horse, whose condition has actually worsened at this point: in addition to being shut in a small box, he is now totally isolated since his other two companions in misadventure have been taken away. We have asked several times for him to be seized but have not had any reply.

Another worrying aspect of the matter is that the report made out by the Local Police, and handed to the President of IHP late Wednesday evening, states that only the filly foal has been seized and this only with the intention of having her examined by a vet, (which examination was carried out yesterday morning.)

Therefore, while we recognise the fact that Pistoia ASL has agreed to partially review the decisions set out on 8 September, we cannot accept fully what seems to us an incomplete investigation. We therefore ask ASL and the Pistoia Prosecutor’s office to change the present provision into a proper temporary seizure in accordance with the penal code

Meanwhile we thank the Ministry of Health Task Force for their interest in this case and their support in asking for adequate measures to be taken regarding the welfare of horses, and noting the inadequate observation of normal procedures, and the lack of cooperation between relevant authorities and procedures which require detailed re-examination.