April 11, 2008
The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is very pleased that a High Court judge has today adjourned a request by James Gray to be granted an emergency injunction to force the immediate return of 29 ponies and donkeys to him.
“The case has been referred back to District Judge Sandeep Kainth at Oxford Magistrates Court at a date yet to be confirmed. In the meantime the horses will remain in the care of the various welfare agencies involved, including ourselves and the RSPCA. We are continuing to liaise closely with the RSPCA in support of their efforts to explore all available legal avenues in order to secure the future welfare of the 111 horses, ponies and donkeys.
A High Court hearing to decide the immediate fate of 29 donkeys and Shetland ponies owned by the Gray family has today been adjourned.
A legal application was made this morning by James Gray of Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire for the RSPCA to immediately return 29 animals that they and other welfare charities have been caring for since police seized them in January 2008.
The application was made by James Gray after Deputy District Judge Kainth ordered that 11 donkeys and 18 ponies be returned to him by the RSPCA, at a hearing in Oxford Magistrates Court last Friday (4 April). The Society is yet to return the animals.
“We have very real concerns for the welfare of the donkeys, ponies and horses involved, and so have asked the District Judge to explain his decision,” said the RSPCA’s Chief Officer Tim Wass.
“Meanwhile, we will continue to care for the animals and explore all available legal avenues in order to secure their future welfare.”
Today’s hearing focused on points of law rather than the welfare of the animals. Speaking in the High Court this morning, Mr Justice Wyn Williams stated that he had to have regard to the proper legal procedure and so directed the Grays to instead address the matter to the District Judge.
Mr Justice Wyn Williams acknowledged that the RSPCA has formally asked the Deputy District Judge Kainth to state his case and concluded: “by far the most appropriate person to enforce the order is the person who made the order”.
More than 7000 people have already signed a petition organised by the National Equine Welfare Council to prevent the return of 29 ponies and donkeys to Spindle Farm in Amersham. Please help us by adding your signature here: http://www.gopetition.com/online/18321.html
On 9 January, Redwings was involved in a large rescue of horses from Buckinghamshire; we took in 21 horses, ponies and donkeys that day for veterinary care including donkey foal Esther. This was an RSPCA-led case involving local Police and other charities including the ILPH, the Horse Trust and the Blue Cross. All organisations concerned worked as a team, and Redwings was pleased to involve 30 of its staff and eight horseboxes.
On 4 April a judge at Oxford Magistrates Court ruled that 29 ponies and donkeys should be returned to the family’s care, whilst another 80 or so are to be sold at auction in May.
We have been overwhelmed with calls and emails from the public. Most are shocked, some angry, others distraught: there are many emotions involved for many people (including us). We are being asked many questions. In response to the question of what you can do to help, there is now an official petition you can sign. Please click here >>>>> to access the petition, organised by the NEWC.
If you wish to download a copy of the petition so you can encourage others to sign up, click here to download a PDF version >>>>>>>>>. Once it’s completed, return it to the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Ministry of Justice, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
You can also write to your local MP and the MP for Amersham, Mrs Cheryl Gillian MP. Simply download this letter template to get started >>>>>.
The equines currently in our care are a combination of those to be returned to the farm we collected them from and those to be sold at auction. The donkeys we are expecting to return to the farm are Mary, Martha, Esther, Carmel, Leah, Deborah, Jemima & Caleb. Since arriving Mary gave birth to Timothy, so he is due to leave us as well. The Shetland ponies that are due to be returned to the farm are Pinocchio, Miss Muffet, Rapunzel, Gretel, Snow White, Elsie, Cinders & Thumbelina. Since they have been in our care and in the last few weeks, Elsie has given birth to a foal called Tinkerbell and Gretel also has a young foal at foot called Belle. These foals are also to leave us and our care. When they came these equines had numbers; we have since named them as is our practice with all the hundreds of equines that have come into our care over the years.
Redwings has a lot of experience in sending veterinary and horse handling staff, and vehicles, to rescue operations but this has been described by many of the 30 Redwings staff present on 9 January as one of the saddest cases that they have witnessed. Last week’s news was therefore understandably difficult for all our veterinary, welfare, horse care, administration and management teams.
Redwings’ two senior vets have between them over 35 years of dedicated equine welfare experience and have in this time encountered many complex cases. Their concern particularly extends to the donkeys, the most sensitive of equines.
Despite their despair, Redwings staff will naturally continue to provide the dedicated and specialist care these horses, ponies and donkeys need every day.
We are aware that our supporters are desperate for news or reassurance and just as we did during the rescue we will let you know what we can when we can. We thanked you in January from the bottom of our hearts for your words of support and encouragement, and we thank you again. As always, the future of the equines is our priority as it is yours.
Thank you.
The case has been referred back to the district judge as the High Court Judge didn’t feel he had juristiction to hear the case.
More news when we receive it.
Amersham horse dealer James Gray is appearing at the High Court in London this morning to ask a judge to force the RSPCA and other welfare charities to return 29 donkeys and ponies
Buckinghamshire horse dealer James Gray is taking out an emergency injunction in the High Court in London this morning (11 April) to force the RSPCA to return 29 ponies and donkeys to him.
A district judge ordered rescue charities to return the 11 donkeys and 18 Shetland ponies to Mr Gray on Friday 4 April.
But as yet the animals have not gone back to Mr Gray.
Mr Gray, Julie Gray, Cordelia Gray, Jodie Gray, all of Spindle Farm, Amersham, and a youth who cannot be named, are charged with failing to meet the needs of 125 equines removed from the farm between 4-12 January this year.
They have pleaded innocent to all the charges brought by the RSPCA and are due back in court for a pre-trial review on 28 April.
Source
April 10, 2008
All legal avenues are being investigated in order to secure the future welfare of the animals involved.
There are a number of ways members of the public can show their support.
1. Sign the on-line petition http://www.gopetition.com/online/18321.html
2. Write to your local MP and send a copy of the letter to the MP for Amersham - Mrs Cheryl Gillan MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
(A letter template can be found here)
3. Contact your local press
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
17 March, 2008
The RSPCA has today served summons on solicitors acting for James Gray and his family for the unnecessary suffering caused to 125 horses, ponies and donkeys at Spindles Farm in Amersham
The RSPCA has launched a prosecution against Jamie Gray and three other members of his family for the suffering caused to 125 horses removed from his farm in January.
A total of 12 charges are being brought against James John Gray (44), Julie Gray (40) and Jodie (25) and Cordelia Gray (20), all of Spindles Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham in Buckinghamshire.
Another 15-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will also be facing charges in connection with this case.
They will appear in Oxford Magistrates Court on Thursday 27 March.
The 12 charges related to section 4 and section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and cover causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet the welfare needs of a total of 125 horses, ponies and donkeys.
On 4 January this year, 31 equines were found dead at Spindle Farm in Amersham. Some 111 other horses, ponies and donkeys were rescued in one of the biggest horse welfare cases on record in the UK.
The massive rescue was co-ordinated by Thames Valley Police, Trading Standards and the RSPCA with help from the Horse Trust, the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH), Redwings and the Blue Cross.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/198398.html
Monday 7 April 2008
Abigail Butcher, H&H news editor
…In court on Friday James John Gray, Julie Gray, Cordelia Gray, Jodie Gray and a juvenile pleaded not guilty to 12 charges related to section 4 and section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 — which cover causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet the needs of a total of 125 equines…
…The pre-trial review for this case has been scheduled for 28 April 2008, and will also be heard at Oxford Magistrates Court…
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