Today Eastleigh’s MP Mims Davies has stood side by side with the RSPCA and the British Horse Council as new legislation was introduced to Parliament to better protect horses and ponies across the UK.
The new law – which will require horse owners to microchip their animals – follows figures released by the RSPCA earlier this year that showed that the charity had rescued around 1,000 horses in 2017, highlighting the issue of horses being fly-tipped or dumped, often in horrific conditions.
Commenting, Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
“The welfare of horses is an issue that I have previously raised with Ministers on behalf of my constituents living in Botley and elsewhere in the constituency, who have been in touch with me over fly grazing locally, and the harrowing impact that this has on the animals involved.
“This new law, which I have been really pleased to support through my work alongside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will help to bring an end to cases such as we have seen locally.
“Animal welfare continues to be a priority for many of my constituents, and I hope that this move will come as another example of both my own, as well as this Government’s commitment to improving standards for animals.”
In addition, a new Central Equine Database will allow local authorities and police to track down the owners of abandoned horses and make sure they are punished and the animals are given the care they deserve. It will also mean lost or stolen horses will be reunited with their owners more easily.
Officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are now working closely with vets and the British Horse Council to highlight the change in regulations, explaining that horse owners have until October 2020 to make sure that all horses are microchipped. This extra time will allow horse owners to combine microchipping with a routine visit to, or from, their vet with the procedure costing around £25-30.