BHS delighted at decision against immediate return of Amersham
horses
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.
|
