AN ANIMAL lover has returned from a life-changing assignment in Africa and claims that too many horses are unnecessarily put down in the UK.
Anna Saillet, from Aldford, spent two years working for the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, helping to save injured or sick horses and donkeys that would have otherwise been humanely killed without the charity’s help.
Working horses and donkeys are widely used in Gambia but many of them are suffering.
She said: “The Trust was established to reduce rural poverty by increasing productivity of working horses and donkeys through animal welfare and management education.
“There is very little knowledge on how to care for them properly and this sadly leads to many of them suffering terribly and being kept in unsatisfactory conditions.”
Anna is hoping to use her eye-opening experiences to begin a career in animal behavioural science while also continuing to work for the Gambian charity.
During her time in Africa, she has seen some shocking injuries and illnesses suffered by the animals but because of religious reasons, they are rarely put down.
She said: “What has been achieved at GHDT make me seriously question just how many horses are unnecessarily put to sleep in the UK.
“Often an owner will not allow us to humanely kill a sick animal and instead we have to do everything we can to save the animal and limit its suffering.”
Anna is now appealing to Chester Chronicle readers to donate any unwanted equine equipment which she will send to Gambia.
For further details call Anna on 07783 772721 or visit www.gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk
