As we announced yesterday, this morning the IHP president and some volunteers went to Rignano to check on the condition of the nine horses which the Corpo Forestale dello Stato had put under a legal seizure order on grounds of mistreatment. For some inexplicable reason, however, the order was not authorised by the Florence Public Prosecutor’s Office, thus preventing the transfer of the horses to more suitable locations (some of them are clinically emaciated, and some have respiratory illnesses).

The most serious matter is that currently the animals are only being looked after by the IHP, together with some kind people who have offered their assistance.
This morning we found the horses thirsty and without a single drop of water to drink. The Comune stopped the emergency provision of water, given for the first few days while IHP sorted out the relocation of the horses. Once the Public Prosecutor’s Office refused their authorisation, the Comune stopped providing water.

Sonny Richichi, President of the IHP, comments: “We are utterly taken aback by the Public Prosecutor’s decision, but more than that by the total apathy we have witnessed for days now, in spite of the renewed formal complaint we have presented, and in spite of the veterinary reports which underline the urgency of the need to relocate these horses. This morning I spent hours on the phone trying to engage the support of the local authorities, but all in vain. The only response I got from anyone was the Comune di Rignano which agreed to reinstate the supply of water over the next few days. Thanks to the work of IHP volunteers, we have mended the fencing, given the horses access to shelter (the weather is forecast to worsen sharply from tomorrow onwards), and provided the necessary hay and water. We have been caring for these horses for the best part of a month.
We are wondering why the Public Prosecutor’s Office decided not to authorise the Forestale’s seizure order, notwithstanding the clear evidence that the appalling condition these horses are in is going to get even worse. We trust the authorities will reverse their decision soon.”