§ Mr. Alexander W. Lyonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement has now been reached with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about the disposal of Army horses into retirement; and what safeguards have been incorporated to ensure the horses' future well-being.
§ Mr. RichardI am glad to inform the House that an agreement was signed today under which horses which become unfit, for reasons of age, for further army service in the United Kingdom, but which are nevertheless capable of leading a contented and active life in retirement, may be transferred to the R.S.P.C.A. and become its property. It is estimated that an average of 15–20 horses per year will be transferred in this way. The R.S.P.C.A. has kindly undertaken full responsibility for the care and maintenance of such horses for the remainder of their lives, and will ensure that they are provided with adequate fodder, stabling, veterinary care and equine companionship. Should the R.S.P.C.A. wish to place any of these horses in the custody of a third party, the society will satisfy itself, by inspection from time to time, that the horse is being properly cared for and will not be moved or placed into custody of some other recipient without its authority.
The Ministry of Defence naturally reserves the right also to dispose of horses directly to approved recipients, such as servicemen who, for reasons of sentiment, 405W may wish to take a horse into retirement and are able to maintain the animal at acceptable standards.
In the case of other army horses which may require to be destroyed on account of condition or other defect, the R.S.P.C.A. endorses the long-standing Ministry of Defence practice of destroying such horses by, or in the presence of, a veterinary surgeon as the proper and humane method of disposing of animals which cannot be placed in suitable retirement.