On Saturday 19th March 2011, BBC radio 4's Open Country programme focussed on the current plight of the ponies on Dartmoor. It includes the presenter, Helen Mark, witnessing a pony slaughter in progress.
The feature includes interviews with Andrew Goatman (slaughterman), Dartmoor National Park, South West Equine Protection, the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, and breeder John French (who breeds traditional Dartmoor ponies). As well as the culling itself, the interviewees discuss the overbreeding of ponies on the moor, the idea of ponies being a "by-product" of conservation grazing and being used for zoo meat, the previous export of Dartmoor to Italy/Spain for their skins and meat, and ultimately what the future will be for the ponies on Dartmoor when so many are being killed.
You can listen to the programme here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zgwhl
Monday, 21 March 2011
Thursday, 10 March 2011
BBC Spotlight feature claiming "Dartmoor Hill Ponies are in danger of becoming extinct"
On Thursday 10th March 2011, BBC Spotlight (regional BBC news for Devon and Cornwall) featured a news story headlining that Dartmoor Hill Ponies are in danger of becoming extinct. The feature claimed that the number of ponies on the moor has dropped from 30,000 at the beginning of the century to just 1,500 in 2011.
This is an extraordinary stance for the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to be taking when they have culled a huge number of ponies in 2010 and 2011. Last autumn the number culled on Dartmoor by one slaughterman was 700...culling has continued all the way through to the spring. The total number culled will probably be never released, but it will be far beyond 700 ponies. After culling so many ponies, should they be complaining to the media that the ponies are at risk of becoming extinct?
In the feature, a farmer, Mr Goddard, claims that farmers keep the ponies for love not money. He states "I think personally, yes, there’ll always be ponies on the moor but people will keep them because they actually love them, they like seeing them, they like the social side of going out and gathering them once a year, it is the last thing on Dartmoor that everybody works together to do at gathering time and all neighbouring farmers help each other out".
Perhaps Mr Goddard could explain to the public:
- Why have so many ponies been culled when they are apparently at risk of being extinct?
- If the ponies are at risk of losing their hardiness (as claimed in the feature), why have farmers been so irresponsible with their breeding to cause this problem?
- If farmers are keeping ponies because of the love of the ponies, then why are there still cases of pony neglect and suffering out on Dartmoor?
- Why are farmers only able to work together at the drifts and not during the rest of the year? ALL the breeders should be working together to make Dartmoor, Devon, and the UK proud of having ponies on the moor that are free from neglect and suffering, that are responsibly bred, and responsibly managed.
There are some good, responsible pony breeders on the moor...but their reputation continues to suffer from the irresponsible breeding and management of other pony farmers.
The BBC story can be seen here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-12705760 and will be temporarly available on iplayer from 19.00 to 21.00 minutes here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00z88bw/Spotlight_10_03_2011/
This is an extraordinary stance for the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to be taking when they have culled a huge number of ponies in 2010 and 2011. Last autumn the number culled on Dartmoor by one slaughterman was 700...culling has continued all the way through to the spring. The total number culled will probably be never released, but it will be far beyond 700 ponies. After culling so many ponies, should they be complaining to the media that the ponies are at risk of becoming extinct?
In the feature, a farmer, Mr Goddard, claims that farmers keep the ponies for love not money. He states "I think personally, yes, there’ll always be ponies on the moor but people will keep them because they actually love them, they like seeing them, they like the social side of going out and gathering them once a year, it is the last thing on Dartmoor that everybody works together to do at gathering time and all neighbouring farmers help each other out".
Perhaps Mr Goddard could explain to the public:
- Why have so many ponies been culled when they are apparently at risk of being extinct?
- If the ponies are at risk of losing their hardiness (as claimed in the feature), why have farmers been so irresponsible with their breeding to cause this problem?
- If farmers are keeping ponies because of the love of the ponies, then why are there still cases of pony neglect and suffering out on Dartmoor?
- Why are farmers only able to work together at the drifts and not during the rest of the year? ALL the breeders should be working together to make Dartmoor, Devon, and the UK proud of having ponies on the moor that are free from neglect and suffering, that are responsibly bred, and responsibly managed.
There are some good, responsible pony breeders on the moor...but their reputation continues to suffer from the irresponsible breeding and management of other pony farmers.
The BBC story can be seen here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-12705760 and will be temporarly available on iplayer from 19.00 to 21.00 minutes here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00z88bw/Spotlight_10_03_2011/
Sunday, 27 February 2011
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
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
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
"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
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
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
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/
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Disturbing photographs of Dartmoor Hill Ponies being slaughtered are published
Disturbing photographs of Dartmoor Hill Ponies being slaughtered as part of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association's shocking "sustainable welfare scheme", at Dartmoor Zoological Park, have been published on the internet.
On Wednesday 13th October 2010, Charlotte Faulkner from the DHPA featured on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme in a story about the ponies on Dartmoor, and told listeners that the Hill ponies do not go for meat, but are sold as riding ponies...
**PLEASE NOTE - THE LINK BELOW WILL TAKE YOU TO PHOTOS DESCRIBED AS "GRAPHIC CONTENT" AND SHOW IMAGES THAT YOU MAY FIND DISTRESSING**
Page 1 of photos (click here) Charlotte Faulkner and Benjamin Mee, along with ponies being dismembered.
Page 2 of photos (select page 2 once on page link above) This is the most graphic page of photos and includes severed heads of ponies, one of which is a foal.
Page 3 of photos (select page 3 once on page link above) - 2 photos of a wild Dartmoor Hill pony, and 2 photos of a severed head.
On Wednesday 13th October 2010, Charlotte Faulkner from the DHPA featured on BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme in a story about the ponies on Dartmoor, and told listeners that the Hill ponies do not go for meat, but are sold as riding ponies...
**PLEASE NOTE - THE LINK BELOW WILL TAKE YOU TO PHOTOS DESCRIBED AS "GRAPHIC CONTENT" AND SHOW IMAGES THAT YOU MAY FIND DISTRESSING**
Page 1 of photos (click here) Charlotte Faulkner and Benjamin Mee, along with ponies being dismembered.
Page 2 of photos (select page 2 once on page link above) This is the most graphic page of photos and includes severed heads of ponies, one of which is a foal.
Page 3 of photos (select page 3 once on page link above) - 2 photos of a wild Dartmoor Hill pony, and 2 photos of a severed head.
Monday, 3 January 2011
"Remove stallions off moor" says chairman of the Dartmoor Pony Society
On Friday 24th December, the Western Morning News published a response by Paul Taylor, chairman of the Dartmoor Pony Society, to the current culling on Dartmoor. This society is for the pure bred, registered, pedigree Dartmoor ponies. Pedigree ponies are not being culled as part of the recent "sustainable welfare scheme" - that scheme has been set up for Dartmoor Hill Ponies, by the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association.
Paul Taylor makes it clear that it is the Hill Pony keepers who are to blame for the current situation. He also points out that the supposed Irish market for non-registered, semi feral ponies, from Dartmoor would most likely be as live exports to the continent for meat. Paul Taylor is quoted as saying: "The answer to the pony problem on Dartmoor is not to blame the recession, a downturn in hill-farm profits, a fall in demand for the ponies, the cost of passports, microchipping or the new transportation laws but to use a sensible economic approach to the problem.
Remove the stallions from the moor for a period of one or two years so that during that time no foals are born and therefore none will need to be slaughtered.
This is the approach already being operated by responsible pony keepers and breeders of Pedigree Dartmoor and Heritage Dartmoor ponies on areas of the moor".
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/news/answer-pony-problem-Dartmoor-remove-stallions-moor/article-3037957-detail/article.html
Paul Taylor makes it clear that it is the Hill Pony keepers who are to blame for the current situation. He also points out that the supposed Irish market for non-registered, semi feral ponies, from Dartmoor would most likely be as live exports to the continent for meat. Paul Taylor is quoted as saying: "The answer to the pony problem on Dartmoor is not to blame the recession, a downturn in hill-farm profits, a fall in demand for the ponies, the cost of passports, microchipping or the new transportation laws but to use a sensible economic approach to the problem.
Remove the stallions from the moor for a period of one or two years so that during that time no foals are born and therefore none will need to be slaughtered.
This is the approach already being operated by responsible pony keepers and breeders of Pedigree Dartmoor and Heritage Dartmoor ponies on areas of the moor".
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/news/answer-pony-problem-Dartmoor-remove-stallions-moor/article-3037957-detail/article.html
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