The Mare and Foal Sanctuary was involved in a multi-agency equine welfare case in Devon during April 2022, involving over 20 equines found emaciated and suffering.
The case led by the RSPCA has recently resulted in Edmund and Rosena Edge, of Exbourne, Okehampton, being given 26-week suspended prison sentences and being banned from keeping animals for 10 years, at Exeter Crown Court on 6 July 2023, having admitted animal welfare offences at a previous hearing.
The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s involvement was to provide support on the second day of the welfare lift, when rescue team members of RSPCA, World Horse Welfare and Devon and Cornwall Police requested additional assistance.
Two staff members from the Sanctuary’s Welfare Outreach and Advice team worked a full day helping to load the distressed equines into transporters, supplying Clayden Panels to help herd the equines towards them. From here the equines were taken to RSPCA and World Horse Welfare holding centres for immediate veterinary attention.
As part of the National Equine Welfare Council, The Mare and Foal Sanctuary collaborates locally and nationally with the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare and other equine welfare charities in multi-agency welfare cases.
Rebecca Sherrell, Welfare Outreach and Advice Manager, says: “Every case we handle is complex and this was no exception. We will always support multi-agency equine welfare cases and were able to assist in this case at short notice. It was shocking to see the equines in such poor condition and getting them loaded and moving them to facilities where they could receive veterinary attention was our main priority.”
For more information about the charity or to support the work of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary please visit www.mareandfoal.org.
