Autumn Newsletter 2008 - Redwings

4Welfare Works..WELFAREBack in December 2006,Redwings received a call from amember of the public who wasconcerned about a pony that shesaw daily on her way to work.The pony did not look healthyand the reporter was worried thatthe pony would not cope overWinter. As the pony was just afew miles from Redwings’ AdaCole Rescue Centre, Jo our FieldOfficer for the area, immediatelywent to check things out.The Long (Slow!) Armof the LawBelow, Marvin ‘the magnificent’who is back to good healthunder Redwings’ care.Jo found that the young colt, we thennamed Marvin, was indeed underweightand had wounds on his headand nose. The wounds had beencaused by Marvin’s headcollar, whichwas padlocked to a very heavy chainstaked to the ground. Tethering itself isnot illegal, but if the way in which anequine is tethered causes suffering,then the owner is in breach of animalwelfare laws. Jo’s concern for Marvinprompted her to contact the localRSPCA Inspector and together theyarranged for a vet to assess Marvin’scondition. The vet agreed that Marvinwas suffering as a result of his poorweight, untreated wounds andunsuitable method of tethering.Marvin’s owner was contacted andMarvin was transferred under policesupervision to our Ada Cole RescueCentre for recovery and some muchneeded TLC.Marvin’s owner refused to sign hispony into our care, or admit that hewas guiltyof causingsuffering toMarvin. Thisleft theRSPCA nochoice but to begin legalproceedings against the owner toensure that Marvin did not have to bereturned. Because the new ‘AnimalWelfare Act’ did not come into forceuntil April 2007, Marvin’s owner wasprosecuted under the previous‘Protection of Animals Act’.Being just 18 months old whenrescued, as Marvin regained healthand strength he became a lively,headstrong character! We cannotintegrate stallions with other equinesas they will fight with males and want tobe too friendly with females! For thisreason we were hoping that the casewould be resolved quickly so thatMarvin could be gelded and live amore normal, relaxed life. Frustratingly,one thing after another seemed todelay proceedings, from legaltechnicalities to poorly judges! Wewere all relieved when the hearingfinally came to court in July 2008 andthe judge agreed that Marvin’s ownerwas guilty of causing his ponyunnecessary suffering. Marvin waspassed into Redwings’ permanentownership, and his owner was fined£3,000 and given a three yearconditional discharge. Marvin is nowgelded and enjoying life with friends atlast! As a healthy young chap, wehope that in the not too distant futurehe will be suitable for Redwings’popular Guardianship scheme, but fornow, he is such a sweetie that we justlike having him here with us!