02 March 2017

Updated statement about the horses of Paper Mill Lane, Ipswich

We would like to assure members of the public that all new welfare reports concerning the horses of Paper Mill Lane are investigated by Redwings’ field officers and RSPCA inspectors.

We rely on the eyes and ears of local people to report welfare concerns. As a 100% publicly funded charity, we have limited resources; our field officers cannot therefore be monitoring every location, all the time, rather we react to reports when they are made.

We need accurate, timely and first-hand information from people local to the Paper Mill Lane site. As per our rescue operation in January 2017 where 10 horses were seized from the site, when reports are made we will respond and when welfare concerns are certified by a veterinary surgeon, we will remove the horses.

We cannot always reveal our actions and involvement in cases until operations have been completed – in particular in cases where owners may be prosecuted – but work is happening behind-the-scenes.

We are therefore asking for the local community to work in partnership with us, the RSPCA and the authorities to ensure the welfare of the horses on Paper Mill Lane. We need trust and faith in our organisations; while we may not be able to reveal our operations, welfare reports are encouraged and are responded to.

When reporting a welfare concern to Redwings, please do so through the correct channels by calling our welfare team on 01508 481008 or emailing welfare@redwings.co.uk. We cannot take welfare reports via social media and require eye-witness accounts, with accurate descriptions of the horses, their locations and the concern for their welfare. Video and photographic evidence must be date and time stamped.

Welfare reports can also be made to the RSPCA 24-7 line 0300 1234 999.

For more details of our involvement with the Paper Mill Lane horses, click here to read our previous statements.