Police protect man at horse death farm (From Bucks Free Press)

Police protect man at horse death farm

9:33am Friday 25th January 2008 in

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POLICE have had to put measures in place to protect the man living at the farm where 32 dead horses were found.

The shocking discovery was made three weeks ago, when a major RSPCA operation staged a rescue of the surviving animals.

Chief Inspector Stuart Greenfield said: "Because of the nature of the case, clearly there's an onus on us to protect his safety and the safety of his family because of reprisals. We have put strategies in place to do that."

The operation began at Spindles Farm, Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, Amersham after RSPCA officers found the dead horses on January 4, following a tip-off from a member of the public. James Gray, 44, who lives at the farm was due to appear in court on Monday, January 14 on charges of criminal damage and assault on a police officer but the case was adjourned until February at his own request.

CI Greenfield said: "We've got to make sure the family's welfare is a priority and we do recognise the potential for reprisal. A case like this will raise people's emotions - these cases always do, and we recognise that."

CI Greenfield added that as this was part of a live operation he was unable to give any further details.

He explained that the discovery had led to a spike in calls from members of the public concerned at the treatment of horses in the area, and that these complaints had been passed to the RSPCA.

Sophie Wilkinson, spokesman for the RSPCA, said : "At the moment, we are still gathering evidence and investigating. Probably it will be another couple of weeks."

The Horse Trust at Speen has taken on 14 of the starving horses, ponies and donkeys, and other animal welfare organisations around the country have also stepped in.

Click on the link above to see the latest video of how the rescued animals are recovering at the Trust.

James Gray will now appear at Aylesbury Magistrates' Court on February 4 at 10am.