The British Horse Society welcomed today’s verdict in the trial of James Gray who stood accused of causing unnecessary suffering to more than 100 horses at his Spindles Farm premises in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
In January 2008, 111 horses, ponies and donkeys were removed from Spindles Farm in a joint rescue operation involving several equine welfare charities. A further 31 animals were found dead at the scene, prompting extensive media coverage of what is thought to be the largest horse welfare operation ever undertaken in the UK.
Today’s verdict, at which Gray and members of his family were found guilty of a number of charges related to causing unnecessary suffering provoked BHS Chief Executive Graham Cory to issue the following statement:
“These guilty verdicts are scarcely a cause for celebration. We must remember that many horses and ponies suffered inexcusable cruelty at the hands of these people. But we are certainly pleased that they have at last been brought to justice.
“Now we must move on and treat the Amersham case as a spur to even greater efforts to tackle cases of equine neglect and abuse.”
The British Horse Society today (Monday 15 December) expressed distress at the collection of RSPCA footage shot at Spindle Farm, which was released today by Andrew Vickers, sitting at Bicester Magistrates’ Court.
BHS Senior Executive, Welfare, Lee Hackett said: “The pictures and video footage that have been released today are both shocking and disturbing and clearly show the horrific conditions that these horses, ponies and donkeys were being forced to survive in.
“While the pictures make for extremely harrowing viewing, they serve as an important reminder that we must learn lessons from this case and do whatever we can to avoid any repeat of this kind of distressing scenario in the future.
“Whatever the outcome of the trial, we have to be grateful that so many animals were successfully rescued and are recuperating thanks to the sterling work done by a number of equine welfare charities.”
The British Horse Society has expressed its delight at the legal decision to put a stay in place until a High Court appeal is heard, which prevents the return of any of the horses rescued from Spindles Farm, Amersham.
An initial hearing took place on 4 April, when it was ruled by Deputy District Judge Sandeep Kainth at Oxford Magistrates Court that 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies should be returned to Jamie Gray from whom the animals were seized in January.
While Deputy Judge Kainth did not have the power to reverse his original decision, the stay means the horses, ponies and donkeys will be able to remain in the care of the charities that rescued them until an appeal by the RSPCA against his original ruling is heard in the High Court
BHS Welfare Senior Executive Lee Hackett said: “This is fantastic news. We are delighted that Deputy Judge Kainth has done everything in his power to ensure that the animals involved remain in the best possible hands for the foreseeable future.
“It is an enormous relief that the animals will be able to remain in the care of the numerous charities who have worked so hard to rehabilitate them until the RSPCA appeal is heard. We are fully behind the RSPCA in their appeal and offer our unconditional backing and support.
The January rescue of more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys from the premises of Jamie Gray was one of the largest equine welfare operations ever to have take place in the United Kingdom. It saw many different horse welfare organisations working together to seize and subsequently rehabilitate the animals involved
For further information, please contact: Lee Hackett, Senior Executive Welfare, The British Horse Society, 01926 707804 or l.hackett@bhs.org.uk
The British Horse Society expresses its outrage at the decision made at Oxford Magistrates Court to return 29 donkeys and Shetland ponies to the family at the centre of the recent rescue operation at Spindles Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
The January rescue of horses, ponies and donkeys from the premises of Jamie Gray was among the largest ever equine welfare operations to take place in the United Kingdom and saw many different horse welfare organisations working together to seize and subsequently rehabilitate the animals involved.
The decision made at Oxford Magistrates Court to return 29 of the ponies and donkeys to the Gray family, and to have the remainder of the animals sold at public auction, has come as a huge blow to all of those involved with the operation and everybody who is concerned about horse welfare.
BHS Welfare Senior Executive Lee Hackett said “The BHS is shocked and disappointed by the decision to return a number of horses to the Gray family. Whilst we recognise that the trials of those charged in this case have yet to take place, the terrible condition of the animals at the time they were rescued should have been enough to ensure that they remain safely in the care of rescue organisations. This will be devastating news to everybody who has been involved in the care and rehabilitation of these animals”.
“The decision to sell the remainder of the horses, ponies and donkeys at public auction is as mystifying as it is disappointing. We are appalled that these animals will now be put in a position where their future welfare cannot be guaranteed. We fully support the RSPCA’s argument that they should be allowed to supervise the re-homing of these horses to approved homes where knowledgeable and responsible people will care for them. This is the absolute least that these animals deserve.”
