WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Decomposing foal left in Irchester field shocks concerned resident

The foal was seen alive last Saturday afternoon
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A dead foal left to decompose in a field close to a major road has been reported to an animal welfare organisation and the council by a concerned resident.

The animal lover had noticed the ponies and horses in a field close to the A45 near Irchester, and saw that a foal had been born.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yesterday the resident went to check on the foal after a friend had seen the foal lying in a dip in the field and confirmed it was dead and it had started to be eaten by other animals.

She said: "I called a vet who told me to call the RSPCA. The RSPCA said they couldn't do anything about it because it was dead and I should call the council.

"The last time I saw the foal alive was Saturday afternoon so it's possibly been dead for three to four days.

"It's not right that it's left there. The poor thing is lying there just waiting to be eaten.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Normally you would ring up the hunt and they would arrange for it to be collected.

The site where the foal has been foundThe site where the foal has been found
The site where the foal has been found

"No one I have spoken to has taken responsibility or pointed me in the right direction for this poor animal."

Horses in the Irchester and Wellingborough area have been a concern for some residents for many years.

The resident added: "I have just been in touch with Peter Bone MP's office and they are now in contact with Wellingborough Council to get this situation sorted out."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Wellingborough council are aware of the dead foal and the appropriate department has been contacted

The foalThe foal
The foal

A spokesman for Wellingborough council said: "Environmental Protection did receive a call relating to this this morning, however the foal is on private land."

Govenment guidelines say that in in Scotland and Wales, only pet horses can be buried, but in England, you are allowed to bury horses whether they are pets or not.

Owners of dead ponies and horses can contact The Equine End of Life Service, a not-for-profit organisation that runs a collection service for deceased horses, ponies or donkeys, using fully trained, professional and licensed collectors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For more information visit https://www.equine-endoflife.co.uk.

The foalThe foal
The foal

Message from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Related topics: