Bodmin Ponies Rescued - DEFRA finally act after pressure from SWEP and the media

On Saturday 26th February, the Western Morning News reported that 19 ponies have been rescued, thanks to their original article about dead and neglected ponies discovered on Bodmin Moor by charity South West Equine Protection.

It says that "Close co-operation between a number of groups and agencies - including commoners, Animal Health, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Cornwall County Council, the RSPCA and the police - ensured that all animals were removed safely and with the minimum of distress."

SWEP say that they "We have had a great reaction to the article, which has really put the spotlight on this important issue, so we owe a huge thanks to the Western Morning News and its readers...This is such a wonderful result for the ponies - it has been weeks since our initial email to the authorities stating that there was a serious equine welfare problem on this common that required a roundup and inspection".

The ponies are now being cared for by Redwings Sanctuary.

Article in the WMN - http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/regionalnews/WMN-report-leads-help-ill-ponies/article-3270484-detail/article.html

SWEP press release: http://www.swep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/DEFRA-Finally-Act-After-Pressure-From-SWEP-and-the-Media.pdf

"Wild Ponies of Bodmin Moor are Dying of Neglect...

...as FIVE Rotting Carcasses are Found in Three Weeks" is the headline of the Daily Mail article highlighting the situation in Cornwall uncovered by the charity South West Equine Protection (SWEP). 

They say that despite following the correct procedure of reporting breaches of the Animal Welfare Act, the authorities are preventing them from getting the starving animals the care that they need.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357329/Wild-ponies-Bodmin-Moor-dye-neglect-5-rotting-carcasses-3-weeks.html


The full SWEP press release can be found here:
http://www.swep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/SWEP-press-release-Bodmin-moor1.pdf

Dead Ponies on Bodmin Moor - Bodmin Ponies Dying and Neglected

On Tuesday 15th February 2011, BBC Spotlight and the Western Morning News covered a story about the deaths of ponies on Bodmin Moor.  Equine charity South West Equine Protection (SWEP) say that they have found 5 dead ponies on the moor in the last 3 weeks and that there are 3 emaciated ponies that need help.

In the SWEP press release, which contains shocking images of ponies they have found on the moor, they say that the local authorities have not been responding to the situation.  They state that they contacted the relevant authorities with this information and were told that "Defra Animal Health and Trading Standards had no concerns over the welfare of the ponies on this common".  The authorities now say they are investigating the case, but they find it difficult to identify the owners of the ponies on the moor.

BBC Spotlight story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cornwall/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_9398000/9398134.stm

Western Morning News front page:
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/news/Charity-claims-moorland-ponies-8216-left-starve-owners-8217/article-3222849-detail/article.html

SWEP press release:
http://www.swep.org.uk/press-release-east-moor-bodmin/