HorseWorld charity concerns over number of ‘war horse’ deaths

Leading animal welfare charity, HorseWorld, has called for greater transparency from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to reassure those concerned that ex-army horses may have been put down unnecessarily.

As the Steven Spielberg movie ‘War Horse’ is taking over cinemas across the UK, HorseWorld say that new figures published by the MoD reveal that 28 army horses were put down in 2011, 16 more than in 2009.

The horse charity also state that while most suffered physical problems, four were destroyed because of their ‘temperament’.

Staff from HorseWorld have written to the MoD suggesting greater transparency could help reassure members of the public who are concerned that ‘temperament’ is not a good enough reason to destroy a horse.

HorseWorld Equine Welfare Director Jerry Watkins said: “Alternatives to euthanasia always need to be properly considered when an animal reaches the end of its working life.

“Members of the public might understandably feel these new figures pose serious questions.

 “We have no reason to believe the MoD is not following correct principles and practices, but the public will want to be assured that in each case every alternative was considered, and will be in future.

 “Publication of case notes of the animals that were put down due to ‘temperament’ could help provide this reassurance, or the MoD may have other ways of doing so which makes things more transparent.”

The new figures emerged in a Written Parliamentary Answer from Defence Minister Andrew Robathan MP in response to a question from MP Kevan Jones.

Source: HorseWorld

Photo:Elliot Brown