The RSPCA has opened an investigation following the grim discovery of a horse's body, which was callously discarded at the roadside in Walsall just days before Christmas.
Distressing Discovery Days Before Christmas
The black and white horse was found on a grass verge in Slacky Lane, Walsall, on Saturday, December 20. The animal's legs were bound with blue rope, and a rope was also tied around its neck. RSPCA officials believe the horse was likely transported to the location in a trailer or truck, tethered to a post, and then dragged from the vehicle before being abandoned.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Georgie Mackie expressed her distress at the scene. "It’s incredibly sad to think this poor horse had died and then those who were meant to care for them just dumped their body for somebody else to deal with in such a public place," she said. "It’s so distressing and hugely irresponsible."
Cause of Death Unknown Amid Suspicious Circumstances
The charity confirmed the horse did not have any obvious wounds. It remains unknown whether the animal was already dead when it was dumped or if it died at the location. The manner of disposal has been labelled as suspicious, prompting the appeal for information.
"While we do not know the cause of death, or if the horse was dead or alive at the time they were dumped, we're keen to find out more about the circumstances," Officer Mackie added. "We want to find out how their body came to be dumped here and who owned them."
A spokesperson for the RSPCA highlighted the tragic reality behind such incidents, stating: "Disposing of a horse’s body has cost implications which means dead horses are often discarded like rubbish."
Abandonment Incidents Reach Alarming Rate
This case emerges against a backdrop of a sharp rise in animal abandonment reports. The RSPCA has recorded a more than 23 percent increase in incidents during the first ten months of this year compared to the same period in 2024.
Key statistics from the charity reveal:
- 24,270 abandonment incidents were reported to the RSPCA emergency line up to the end of October this year.
- This is a significant rise from 19,727 incidents in the first ten months of 2024.
- This equates to an abandonment report being made every nine minutes the emergency line was open.
The charity warns of a potentially 'grim' Winter for pets and equines as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
Anyone with information about the dead horse found in Slacky Lane is urged to contact the RSPCA inspector appeal line in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01700561.
