UK port foils illegal horse shipments despite live animal export ban.
Authorities at the Port of Dover have intercepted a shipment of 20 horses being illegally transported. Just a year ago, 26 horses were rescued from smugglers in a similar incident.
Authorities suspect some of the horses were smuggled to mainland Europe for slaughter and fattening, despite the Animal Welfare (Livestock Export) Act 2024, which prohibits the export of live animals for slaughter.
The horses included Irish Thoroughbreds, Connemara horses, leisure horses, and some legally transported horses. Many of them were in critical condition, crammed into an unfitted truck in extremely poor condition.
Dover officers were alerted to the tanker truck and upon inspection found a foal lying on the ground, unable to stand. This raised concerns about the health of the other horses, so authorities diverted the truck to a car park for further inspection.
Once there, inspectors found many of the horses were too weak and sick to walk. Some suffered from strabismus, a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes painful abscesses and high fevers. Others suffered from pneumonia, skin diseases and other serious health problems.
Among the rescued horses were three untrained ponies, covered in mud and looking terrified. Reports from the scene described how they huddled together in fear and buried their heads when anyone approached. Other horses, once well cared for, were now malnourished, weak and showing signs of distress.
Veterinary examinations confirmed that five Irish thoroughbreds were in such poor health that they had to be euthanized. Experts also raised serious biosecurity concerns because infected horses could potentially spread infectious diseases to others they came into contact with.
Seven of the horses, who were in better condition, have been claimed by their owners. However, eight of the animals, including a frightened foal and a pregnant mare, were abandoned and placed in the care of animal protection organizations.
The World Horse Welfare, one of the organizations involved in the rescue, said that while the law was an important step forward, it was not enough to stop illegal transportation.
The organisation’s chief executive, Rowley Owens, warned that without a strong digital identification and tracking system, traffickers would continue to exploit legal loopholes and move horses out of the UK for profit.
“Once again we are faced with the reality that despite the law being in place, it is still illegal to export horses,” said Owens, stressing that in the absence of a proper enforcement and monitoring system, such cases will continue to occur, putting the welfare of the horses at serious risk.
Following the interception of the horses in Dover, World Horse Welfare took over responsibility for the abandoned horses, ensuring they receive medical treatment and rehabilitation. The charity also received funding from the Racehorse Retraining Trust (RoR) to cover the costs of the remaining two Irish Thoroughbreds.
Philippa Gilmore, RoR’s welfare operations manager, said she was disappointed that the illegal transportation of horses for slaughter continued despite the new regulations.
The rescued horses were taken to World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm rescue and rehoming centre in Norfolk, where they are currently receiving appropriate care. We are currently working to find safe, permanent homes for them after their rehabilitation.
Animal welfare experts are urging strict enforcement of horse transport laws and calling for improved identification and tracking systems to prevent illegal smuggling.
