Faced with numerous cases of mutilated horses recorded throughout France, horse owners and farm animals are greatly worried about the fate of their pet. Fear and anxiety are spreading in equestrian centers or private farms.
In general, it is recommended to stay vigilant and alert the police if you witness any strange presence of individuals near pastures, especially at night. Only the authorities can intervene. Nevertheless, you want to act at your level and get involved in the affair of the injured horses. Zoomalia takes stock of the situation and provides useful recommendations.
Since this summer, horses have been targeted by unscrupulous, violent, and heartless individuals. Horses belonging to owners have been found dead, slashed, lying on the ground, with certain parts of their bodies mutilated, such as an ear, a heart, genital organs, the tail, and the eye.
Who is capable of committing such atrocity? Veterinarians and police confirm it is indeed "human" individuals, even experts in their field, such as animal professionals. Indeed, the way the limbs are cut indicates a proven precision using specific tools. The use of a lasso and a nose twitch allows them to effectively immobilize their prey. And the ability they possess to approach skittish animals at night and operate in the dark seems to clearly underline their general skills with horses.
These cruel individuals are under increased surveillance, a police investigation, and searches throughout France. Barbarism, sect, or fetishism? Whatever their motivations, those responsible must be arrested, condemned, and judged for these inhuman and intolerable acts. While the case is yet to be solved, equestrian centers and horse owners live in daily fear.
France counts over 40 proven cases of mutilated horses and 150 investigations open by the national police. In the Landes region, a horse owner filed a complaint for animal cruelty as his mare was found slashed on the side in Saint-Geours-de-Maremne. Similarly, in Brassempouy, a complaint was filed for an act of cruelty on animals. In Chalosse, another owner's mare suffered severe genital injuries. In Urcuit, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, a pony was found injured on the left thigh with a 10 cm wound. Also in Pau, the Ferme Saint-Joseph club discovered its pony riddled with knife wounds. Then, a mare from a private estate in Cambo-les Bains was found alive, hit by several knife blows. Unfortunately, these facts extend to many other departments: Loire, Rhône, Jura, Saône-et-Loire, Côte-d’Or.
Solidarity Facebook groups are multiplying by region. In parallel, a green number is available to answer questions from horse owners, guide them in protecting their stables, and offer psychological support. A private group named "Justice for Our Horses" was created by the owner of a mutilated mare, dedicated to all those in the equestrian sector and everyone who has lost their animals.
The government has set up a free number for all horse owners:
GREEN NUMBER 0800 738 908.
Acts of cruelty towards a domestic or tame animal, or one held in captivity, can result in 2 years of imprisonment and a €30,000 fine (a proposed law aims to increase the penalty to €45,000).
The FFE or French Equestrian Federation has become a civil party to defend horse owners. Let us hope their relentless fight against horse mistreatment succeeds and justice is served. Horses and their owners can now rely on this organization against gratuitous, cruel, and unexplained assaults to date.
Federations, Facebook groups, veterinarians, and police are therefore all mobilized to catch the criminals and ensure these heinous acts stop permanently. To effectively contribute to this wave of solidarity, follow the recommendations of your local police:
This dark affair began with a public testimony reported by Pauline Sarrazin, the author of the facts. She is the instigator of the Facebook support group (now closed), Justice for Our Horses.
Owner of Lady, a mare found mutilated, Pauline S. gradually sowed doubt, on one hand, by her sudden and constant silence after extensive media coverage, on the other hand, by the increasingly skeptical expertise of professionals. The truth is quite different according to the renderer, the veterinarian, and Pauline's association circle.
After 6 months of lies and speculations making headlines, Pauline S. finally admits the story of the horse mutilation to hide her significant difficulties in managing her farm and caring for too many rescued animals. They were severely lacking in food, hygiene, and care.
The admissions of the author of the facts revealed that her hungry dog Louna eventually attacked Lady, the mare too weak to defend herself. Fearing separation from her pet, she fabricated this horrific affair that shocked everyone: media, journalists, the public, all were deceived by her testimony that spread the collective hysteria around mutilated horses.
Nonetheless, some heinous acts on mistreated horses are indeed real, but it should be known that some detractors acted by mimicry or it is the work of scavengers and ravens taking advantage of the illness, injuries, or weakness of horses in the wild. In any case, these are isolated and few cases.
In short, you are ready to defend your horse and raise alerts if necessary. Stay informed about the news by subscribing to the social networks of your locality (Facebook Group, local police). And stay connected to the Zoomalia blog, which provides the best practical advice to remember!
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