Callous dumpers leave two dead horses on popular moorland route

SADDLEWORTH ANIMAL lovers have launched a bitter attack after callous dumpers left two dead horses on a popular moorland route.

The horses were abandoned at the roadside near the Saddleworth border with Kirklees on the main A640 Nont Sarah’s Road which links Denshaw to Outlane at Huddersfield.

Geoffrey Haigh, owner of the landmark Rams Head at Denshaw, was driving the route when he saw the dead horses being taken away.

He said: “I saw the horses being loaded into the back of a lorry. It’s an absolute disgrace anyone could treat dead animals in such a callous way.

“I spoke to fellow motorists who had actually seen the horses dead at the side of the road. They had contacted the council and they were very shocked.”

Campaigning councillor Alan Roughley, who lives at Denshaw, said: “Nont Sarah’s road is cursed by frequent fly tipping along its more remote stretches.

“Both Oldham and Kirklees Councils are having to send out patrols on almost a daily basis to clear up the mess. The latest incident is particularly dreadful.

“Horse riding, often involving quite young children, is increasingly popular in the Pennines and you can imagine the distress it would have caused had they come across these bodies.

“I know council employees do all they can to trace fly tippers and then prosecute but they must be backed up by drivers who regularly travel along this route.

“It is a sorry state of affairs that horses which probably started off as being someone’s pet, finish up this way.

“Everybody involved in the horse-based leisure industry, from riders and farmers to livery stables, farriers and veterinaries, need to work together to stamp out criminal elements.”

Saddleworth-based Hayley Wild has been involved with schooling and horse riding for 20 years and has a BSc in equine science.

She said: “It’s terribly sad for horses. The tough current economic climate has led to an unprecedented number of equine cruelty cases and dumping of horses.

“In law, horses should be humanely euthanized either by a vet or licenced slaughter man and disposed of correctly, usually by incineration.

“Horses also require a microchip by law but unfortunately many don’t have them and are then unidentifiable.

“It’s a sad end for such noble animals that deserve a dignified end to their life’s but unfortunately costs.”

A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “We can confirm they had an emergency out of hours call and removed two dead horses from the side of the A640.

“This unfortunate incident was dealt with quickly and the animals removed from the site.”