Following a tip from a private person, the County Administrative Board’s staff found seven emaciated horses with severely overgrown hooves standing in individual boxes on a farm in Småland.
They had then been standing on a layer of dirt and faeces – for several months.
– Following the veterinarian’s recommendation, they were euthanized on the spot, says Fredrik Holm, county veterinarian and head of unit at the County Administrative Board in Kronoberg County.
The private person had raised the alarm about the farm to the County Administrative Board last week and was worried about the horse keeping as the animals were kept indoors and never seemed to be allowed to go outside. Once at the stables, the staff found seven neglected horses.
– The horses had poor hoof care, severely overgrown hooves, poor coat care and there were several layers of dirt and excrement throughout the coat, says Fredrik Holm about the County Administrative Board’s efforts at the farm.
Led for several months
The staff testified that the animals appeared to have been subjected to “extreme suffering” for a long time – based on the thickness of the bed of feces and dirt they were standing on in the boxes, it is believed to have been several months.
An on-duty veterinarian who was called to the scene made the assessment that the horses were not in transportable condition and recommended euthanizing them on the spot.
According to Holm, horses in particular are neglected in this way is unusual in relation to other animal species.
– Many years pass between each occasion when animals are forced to be euthanized on the spot, says Fredrik Holm.
Report the owner to the police
The owner of the horses was present at the County Administrative Board’s investigation and was aware of the killing. But why the horses were neglected is unclear.
– There are probably reasons why it has gone this far, but I won’t go into it, says Fredrik Holm.
– Animals must be cared for in a good way and it must not go this far. If you can’t take care of your animals, it’s important that you get help from someone who can take care of them or get rid of the animals, says Fredrik Holm.
The County Administrative Board will now conduct an examination as to whether the owner should be notified of an animal ban until further notice. They will also report the incident to the police for animal cruelty or violation of the Animal Welfare Act.