Pony found ‘being eaten alive’ making good progress after rescue
A pony found “being eaten alive” by maggots is making good progress following his rescue.
The youngster, now named Buggy, was one of a group of ponies recently found in Hillam, Yorkshire.
World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA were called to the animals by a member of the public who realised they needed help.
“As I walked over to the pony, the smell was absolutely putrid even from six feet away,” said World Horse Welfare field officer Sarah Tucker.
“I could hear the maggots making a ‘crackling’ sound as they burrowed through his skin. It was like his skin was moving as he was so covered in them and he understandably looked very uncomfortable and dejected.”
A vet, RSPCA inspector Claire Mitchell and police arrived and the horses were removed under the Animal Welfare Act.
“Given that Buggy was in such a terrible state, he was travelled to the Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic in York where he was put on a drip and received urgent treatment to clear his skin of the maggots,” a spokesman for World Horse Welfare said.
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The foal was very thin and suffering from “extensive skin damage” from the maggots, as well as the lice infestation and worms.
‘Beginning to look a little brighter’
Last week (24 June), World Horse Welfare reported that Buggy’s condition is improving.
“He is beginning to look a little brighter after his ordeal,” said a World Horse Welfare spokesman.
The youngster has been very popular with the charity’s supporters since his rescue.
“Buggy is getting quite the fan club — so many of you have reached out to us to see how he is doing,” added the spokesman.
“He is continuing to progress and is developing into a real character. He even met supporters for members’ day at World Horse Welfare Penny Farm.”
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Chloe Atkins, the member of the public who alerted World Horse Welfare to Buggy’s plight, has been inspired to do a sponsored walk to raise money for his rehabilitation.
For more information, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Buggythefoal
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.