Boy that saved the horses life.
| Boy buys pony to save its life |  |
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| Tuesday, 15 September 2009 |
| A YOUNG 11-year-old boy saved a pony’s life when he bought it for e8 at Smithfield Fair earlier this month. A cruel and heartless trader accepted the paltry sum from the young boy in return for the pony, which was in crippling pain due to serious injury. Once the deal was done, the youngster immediately handed the pony over to inspectors from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) who were supervising at the fair at the time. The deal for the ill and suffering pony was contrary to Control of Horses Act, which forbids the sale of horses to those under the age of 16. But animal welfare experts say the youngster felt so sorry for the pony that he was determined to save it from further cruelty. “The boy didn’t want the animal to be in any more pain so he took it upon himself to try to save him,” DSPCA spokesperson Orla Aungier explained. contd on page 2 “It’s just shocking to think that someone sold a pony, which was in such pain, for just $8, less than the price of a packet of cigarettes. “The boy, who is a tough nut to say the least, loves horses and he’s a regular at the fair. “He immediately handed the horse over to the inspectors and alerted them to the fact that a trader was offloading a pony in that condition. “Unfortunately, the trader was well gone at that stage. “We were very grateful to the young boy for coming to us. “The 15-year-old pony was in serious pain; you could tell from every step she took.” The injuries were caused by amateur farrier work carried out on the pony’s hooves. “She was butchered,” Ms Aungier told Northside People. “It’s grotesque and barbaric to think that somebody would even try to make money out of a pony in that condition. “The owner showed absolutely no regard for the horse or for the child’s life for that matter as the young boy could easily have got injured while handling a horse in that much pain. “The pony’s instinct would be to kick out. “It’s important that people realise that we are not in the business of demonising people who have or sell horses. Our priority is the welfare of the animals.” The pony was immediately taken to the DSPCA’s headquarters in Rathfarnham for treatment. “You can tell by looking at her that the pony has suffered a great deal in its life,” Ms Aungier continued. “Sadly it’s just another case of complete neglect and a lack of value and responsibility for animals as we have often seen in Smithfield.” The DSPCA’s veterinary team and professional farriers assessed the pony’s injuries and they are hopeful she will make a slow recovery. “The farrier believes that with the right treatment the pony’s hooves are salvageable,” Ms Aungier explained. “It will take up to year and we are cautiously optimistic.” Ms Aungier said the latest incident at the fair proves yet again just how unsuitable the market is. “It’s unlicensed, unregulated and there is absolutely no accountability on the side of the traders,” she stated. “There have been some arrests at the fair but unfortunately the environment at the market means it’s a tricky one to watch. “If our inspectors question any trader, they are immediately surrounded by a mob within less than 30 seconds. It’s very intimidating to be faced with such threatening behaviour. “They have to be very careful not to spark off a riot.” The DSPCA is desperately trying to tackle the escalating number of horse cruelty cases in the Dublin area. Reckless breeding and the diminishing value of the animals means that the city’s surrounding wasteland is awash with unwanted horses and ponies. “It’s just shocking to think that someone sold a pony, which was in such pain, for just e8, less than the price of a packet of cigarettes. “The boy, who is a tough nut to say the least, loves horses and he’s a regular at the fair. “He immediately handed the horse over to the inspectors and alerted them to the fact that a trader was offloading a pony in that condition. “Unfortunately, the trader was well gone at that stage. “We were very grateful to the young boy for coming to us. “The 15-year-old pony was in serious pain; you could tell from every step she took.” The injuries were caused by amateur farrier work carried out on the pony’s hooves. “She was butchered,” Ms Aungier told Northside People. “It’s grotesque and barbaric to think that somebody would even try to make money out of a pony in that condition. “The owner showed absolutely no regard for the horse or for the child’s life for that matter as the young boy could easily have got injured while handling a horse in that much pain. “The pony’s instinct would be to kick out. “It’s important that people realise that we are not in the business of demonising people who have or sell horses. Our priority is the welfare of the animals.” The pony was immediately taken to the DSPCA’s headquarters in Rathfarnham for treatment. “You can tell by looking at her that the pony has suffered a great deal in its life,” Ms Aungier continued. “Sadly it’s just another case of complete neglect and a lack of value and responsibility for animals as we have often seen in Smithfield.” The DSPCA’s veterinary team and professional farriers assessed the pony’s injuries and they are hopeful she will make a slow recovery. “The farrier believes that with the right treatment the pony’s hooves are salvageable,” Ms Aungier explained. “It will take up to year and we are cautiously optimistic.” Ms Aungier said the latest incident at the fair proves yet again just how unsuitable the market is. “It’s unlicensed, unregulated and there is absolutely no accountability on the side of the traders,” she stated. “There have been some arrests at the fair but unfortunately the environment at the market means it’s a tricky one to watch. “If our inspectors question any trader, they are immediately surrounded by a mob within less than 30 seconds. It’s very intimidating to be faced with such threatening behaviour. “They have to be very careful not to spark off a riot.” The DSPCA is desperately trying to tackle the escalating number of horse cruelty cases in the Dublin area. Reckless breeding and the diminishing value of the animals means that the city’s surrounding wasteland is awash with unwanted horses and ponies |