AN animal welfare group has called for a return of the authorities to Hallworthy market after allegations were made of mistreatment to the livestock being sold.

The Devon based ‘People4Ponies’ group attended an annual pony sale, run by Kivells auctioneers, on Saturday, October 22, and described it as ‘a total onslaught on the senses’ but Trading Standards denies any wrong doing.

James Morrish, Conservative Torridge District Councillor, oversaw the market as auctioneer. He told the Post that the statements made by People4Ponies were ‘absolutely ridiculous’ as he said there were officials from various welfare charities and Trading Standards in attendance on the day to ensure the welfare of the livestock was maintained.

A volunteer from People4Ponies submitted a complaint two days after the sale on Monday, October 24, and the group is currently in the process of submitting an official complaint to the authorities.

People4Ponies is a small equine charity, whose income is below the threshold required to become a registered charity — this enables it to carry out campaign work that a registered charity would not.

It was previously involved with the campaign to bring the East Moor pony crisis to the attention of the media and has also worked to stop ear mutilation on wild ponies.

Faye Stacey, volunteer for People4Ponies, said: “As can be seen on the blog post there are a lot of other people commenting who feel the same way about this.

“We saw what we saw on that day. Mr Morrish was in the ring auctioneering all day, he wasn’t there in the loading bays, he wasn’t there when it was all happening, he couldn’t have been because he was in the ring, so I don’t really see how he can comment.”

Speaking on the response her blog post has received, Faye said: “I don’t want people thinking we are just moaning. I don’t have Facebook but the blog post has been shared over 20,000 times on there. It has been overwhelming the support we have received, there has been a brilliant response. We are very grateful for those who have pushed this.”

Since then the group’s post went on to gain over 34,000 shares on Facebook in four days.

Faye said People4Ponies has ‘undertaken ground-breaking research’ to investigate the equine welfare problems on Bodmin Moor. She explained that her group were heavily involved with the East Moor investigations into the ‘dead and dying ponies’ and that her and her volunteers work hard to maintain the welfare of the ponies in the Bodmin area.

She said: “We need the authorities back in the ring. We tried to complain on the day but where unable to find anyone. It is so important to us that we get the authorities back to these markets, like Hallworthy, because I think Cornwall can do a lot better than that, there has to be an improvement.”

A spokesperson from Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards said in response to People4Ponies’ comments that the authorities were not present: “Two members of Cornwall Council’s animal health team were in attendance during the recent horse sale at Hallworthy Market and saw no evidence of cruelty involving the animals that were sold.

“We are also aware that representatives of another three horse welfare protection organisations were in attendance at this pony and horse sale and did not report any concerns over the welfare or treatment of the animals to the officers in attendance or to the auction.”

Mr Morrish said in an official statement: “We had a good auction at Hallworthy market on Saturday with an entry of 95 horses and ponies with all but six sold. The top call of the day was £1,650 for a lovely coloured horse standing at over 17hh going to its new home near North Tawton in Mid Devon.

“Our annual moorland pony sale at Hallworthy market has taken place for many years, and this year’s sale saw prices increase. Many of the quality ponies on offer reached between £250 and £350. All the horses and ponies were penned under cover.”

In its blog People4Ponies said the ponies were ‘absolutely terrified’ and that the ‘whole pen would clamber up over each other in an attempt to get away’.

Addressing concerns over crowding Mr Morrish said: “They were all penned in pens where permanent mains water drinking bowls were present. Over 100 pens were used during the day to ensure all animals had lots of room to move around in the pens as they wished.”

One of People4Ponies’ biggest complaints was that the ‘handling was loud, over the top, and heavy handed’, it also said the market’s staff were ‘opening pens yelling at the animals to move’, however, Mr Morrish told the Post: “I only employed two staff that day and both have been through animal welfare courses, as have I. We leave it up to the owners of the animals to handle them and get them into the ring.”

Another discrepancy People4Ponies had was with regards to how much one miniature filly was sold for. The blog read: “One anomaly of a chestnut miniature making £1,000 — we just can’t imagine how this came about ...presumably some sort of set up?”

Mr Morrish explained: “The miniature filly made £1,000 and they suggested that this was a set up. That is absolutely ridiculous, it wasn’t a set up, sometimes these things happen. During the sale there were two ladies who took a fancy to that particular pony.

“Five horses hit the £1,000 bracket, which included the very special 28-inch high miniature filly, which saw the bidding start at £50 and after rapid bidding it reached £1,000 going home with a delighted young family.”

In response to the allegations that no authorities were present at the sale, Mr Morrish said: “Cornwall Trading Standards officers were present and looked at the animals on many occasions. We also welcomed horse charity South West Equine Protection (SWEP) at the sale.

“No concerns or comments were made to ourselves or to Trading Standards or indeed to the vets responsible for the welfare of the animals at Hallworthy. All of our staff on the day have been through our regular animal welfare handling course and again will have update training early next year.

“As always we are keen to ensure that all animals going through our auctions are looked after to the highest standard and will continue to work with charities and authorities to ensure that the highest standard of care possible is continued.”