COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A huge fine and jail time could await anyone involved in the animal's death



Police say those anyone who harmed a horse found dead inside a derelict pub could face up to a year in prison and a £20,000 fine.

The horse's corpse was discovered by an urban explorer when he went for a look inside what remains of the Old Bull & Butcher, between Ryton and Princethorpe.

Keiran Hallam believes the horse, which did not have any 'freeze marks' to identify it, may have been stolen and then shot.

The grim discovery was reported to Warwickshire Police who say if they find anyone was involved in killing the animal they face some tough punishments.

Warwickshire Police's rural crime officer, Carol Cotterill, said: "We take all reports of animal cruelty very seriously and are extremely concerned about this incident.

"Cruelty to animals is a criminal offence attracting fines of up to £20,000, a maximum jail term of 51 weeks and a lifetime ban for some owners on keeping animals.

"The Act places a duty of care on animal owners to provide basic needs, such as adequate food and water, veterinary treatment and an appropriate environment in which to live.

"Warwickshire Police is appealing for any witnesses to call them on 101 or email NorthWarksRuralAlerts@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk if they have any information about the horse or how the horse came to be inside the derelict pub."

Speaking about how he found the horse, Keiran told CovenrtyLive: "I was in Coventry and I decided to stop and look around the Old Bull and Butcher pub on the Oxford Road between Ryton-on-Dunsmore and Princethorpe.

"I walked in through one of the side doors and saw what I suspected was a horse, recently dead or shot in the pub.

"Couldn't see any freeze marks on it, so presumed it's stolen.

"The smell was grim.

"I rang the RSPCA but they state on their recording that they won't deal with dead animals anyway, but it's obvious that some neglect or mistreatment occurred for this to happen."

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This sounds like a concerning incident and we urge anyone who has any information about this to get in touch with us on 0300 1234 999.

"If an animal has been unlawfully killed we will investigate.”

Horse 'shot dead' remains in derelict pub EIGHT weeks after first found



A rotting horse carcass still remains inside a derelict pub almost two months after it was first found - because the owner is responsible for removing it.

In early May, a rotting horse carcass was found inside the derelict Old Bull and Butcher pub between Ryton and Princethorpe in Warwickshire.

Police revealed that they were 'extremely concerned' following the discovery inside the once popular pub building in early May.

There was some speculation at the time that the horse may have been stolen, and then shot, prompting Warwickshire Police to issue a statement, warning that anyone involved in the incident could be fined or jailed.

But despite the circumstances surrounding the animal being found in the pub, Warwickshire County Council have said that the responsibility to dispose of the animal lies with the owner of the horse in the first instance.

Should no owner be found, as appears to be the case in this instance, the council have said that responsibility would then fall to the owners of the pub.

Unfortunately, the pub, which dates from 1835 closed around 10 years ago, and has fallen into disrepair.

With no activity surrounding the site, the dead horse has remained in place for at least eight weeks.