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5 months ago
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Police made arrests at the Appleby Horse Fair yesterday after the RSPCA were obstructed from checking the health of horses.
On Wednesday it was revealed that a three-year-old stallion was 'worked to death' in an 'excusable act of cruelty' after it was found 'covered in rub sores' with a very high temperature.
It came as the annual fair got underway yesterday with thousands of people descending on the Cumbria town.
Now it has been revealed that Cumbria Police made two arrests on public order offences in the vicinity of the Midland Hotel.
The force said they were called to assist the RSPCA who had 'difficulty' being allowed access to horses by 'obstructive owners'.
Cumbria Police made two arrests yesterday at the Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria
The force said they were called to the fair assist the RSPCA who had 'difficulty' being allowed access to horses by 'obstructive owners'
A policeman holds a person's beer while he is mounted to his horse at the fair
The RSPCA released CCTV images of a man they want to identify in connection to a young horse's ordeal which resulted in its death
CCTV images have been released by the RSPCA as the hunt to identify a man in connection with the death of the horse continues.
Gypsy and traveller community leaders Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd said they were 'sickened and saddened' by the death of the young horse and 'condemned it in the strongest possible terms'.
RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: 'The horse's temperature was very high, and he was covered in rubs. He had been worked until he dropped.
'This was an inexcusable act of cruelty. This person has let themselves, their family and of course this poor horse down, who undoubtedly suffered before he died.
'We want to hear from anyone who knows who is responsible and are releasing CCTV images of a man we're keen to identify in connection with the incident, so that we can ensure this doesn't happen again.
'Please contact the RSPCA on our special appeal line 0300 123 8018 or police on 101.
'This incident is a very disappointing way to have started the Fair today, where there are so many examples of good horsemanship, and we know a lot of people will be upset to hear about this.'
Riders take their horses through the river at the Appleby Horse Fair to cool off yesterday
Travellers pictured arriving at the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering in Cumbria
A woman rides her horse through the river at the Appleby Horse Fair, the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers in Appleby, Cumbria
The small town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria is usually home to around 3000 residents but this week will see this figure balloon to more than 30,000 as visitors
In a statement, Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd said: 'We condemn in the strongest possible terms whoever has done this. We are sickened and saddened by the cruelty that this person or persons have shown.
'We have no hesitation is asking anyone who has any knowledge of this awful event to cooperate fully with police and RSPCA in identifying whoever is responsible. If you are in any doubt, please come forward and provide any information you have for the sake of justice and the future of the Fair.
'We are fully supportive of the efforts of the RSPCA and their partner charities to improve the standards of horse welfare, and this is a body blow to all our efforts. As far as we know we have never had this happen before and we plead with everyone to listen to the welfare messages so that it never happens again.
'Appleby is one of the greatest celebrations of the horse in Europe and this tragic event is a stain on the Fair that will be hard to wash out. The Fair attracts a diverse mix of people including Gypsies and Travellers, but the majority are settled people.
'The standard of horsemanship among Gypsy people is usually high and they are often among the first to report abuse at the Fair when they see it.
Travellers race their horses and traps along the 'Mad Mile' during the Appleby Horse Fair
The surrounding fields have become adorned with both modern caravans and the traditional Romany horse drawn green canvas bow caravans
It comes as Cumbria Police issued an appeal for calm during this week's Appleby Horse Fair
Two horses are washed in the River Eden which runs through the centre of town
A girl rides a horse in the river in the town of Appleby yesterday
A small Shetland pony is tied up to a barrier yesterday in Appleby
Travellers have gathered next to the river as day one of the fair gets underway
A family ride their horse and cart through the street yesterday
'We do not yet know the identity of the person responsible and if it was a Gypsy we will condemn them even more strongly and loudly but please do not leap to any conclusions until we know the facts.'
Staff from eight other animal welfare charities attend the Fair each year, alongside the RSPCA. The experienced and committed team of charity and private practice vets, logistics experts, enforcement and education officers have been supporting the protection and wellbeing of horses at the Fair for over 20 years.
There will be a vet station at Salt Tip Corner where assistance can be sought for any animal that needs it. The vet station will be staffed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
Anyone with any concerns for an animal should approach an RSPCA or police officer.
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