| Most horse owners are eager to give their pets the | | | | are accountable for their animal's welfare, but the |
| very best they can afford, whether it be warm and | | | | charity wants to see further legislation to try and end |
| comfortable stable matting, the right horse feed, and | | | | what they believe is an 'unacceptably high' number of |
| plenty of TLC. But the World Horse Welfare charity | | | | horse cruelty cases. |
| has launched the Great British Horse Survey to raise | | | | The survey coincides with the news that police in the |
| awareness on equine care. Trustee of the charity | | | | New Forest have stepped up their patrols over fears |
| Pippa Funnell spoke out to the press about the need to | | | | that an attacker is maiming horses in the area. There |
| take a snapshot of the animals' health in the UK. She | | | | has been a spate of mutilating attacks on horses in the |
| said that many people were unaware about the scale | | | | region, including a four inch deep and four inch wide |
| of abuse against our four legged companions, adding: | | | | knife wound. The stables owner of Bagnum Riding |
| "Britain certainly has a reputation as a nation of horse | | | | Stables reported a second knife injury on one of her |
| lovers, but with an increasing number of abuse cases, | | | | animals - she urged owners to check their horses for |
| it seems we are in danger of tarnishing it." | | | | any injuries. Many horses are trusting of humans, |
| The survey provides the chance for horse lovers to | | | | making them more vulnerable to attacks. |
| submit their views on what they believe are the | | | | Most people do all they can to ensure their animals are |
| important issues facing the equine community. The | | | | kept in a safe, warm and comfortable environment. |
| charity already investigates almost 2,000 welfare | | | | The survey into horse welfare however is hoped to |
| concerns every year, with a 10% rise in the last year. | | | | illuminate the overall health and well being of the |
| The 2006 Animal Welfare Act ensures all pet owners | | | | animals in the UK today. |