Animal cruelty "out of control"

She runs the Brownbread Horse Rescue Centre in Ashburnham where she says the phone rings "incessantly" with reports of horses being left to starve.

She told the Observer: "All the animal charities are working flat out. It is unbelieveable how much time and energy is being spent in trying to prevent cruelty.

"Our Kent Field Officers, Jane Brown and Mandy Gardner, are working around the clock to keep up with the work.

"Together with their band of volunteers they are braving atrocious weather conditions to get feed and water to needy animals.

"The situation is out of control. Yes, lives are being saved, but also so many are being lost. The real tragedy is that a large number of our visits are being repeated from being logged and investigated a year ago. Nothing changes...Some of the big cases we are currently dealing with are re-offenders having already been prosecuted; they just carry on as if nothing has happened.

"It is very distressing for our team to deal with herds of neglected horses, always waiting for someone to come with food and water.

"Exactly a year ago we were warned about a beautiful, gentle stallion that was imprisoned in horrific circumstances. Yes, we managed to improve his living conditions, but all our efforts to free him have been in vain; he is still held prisoner in a stable and not let out.

"We are frustrated and devastated that we have to see him suffer; an innocent animal that has done nothing wrong. If any of your readers can come up with any ideas as to how we can free this boy please let us know. We know, you know, and the owner knows that this contravenes the new animal welfare laws.

"We are all volunteers and to carry on the work we need support in the way of money donations, hay, feed, rugs, other horsey gear and the loan/donation of a 4x4 vehicle. We have Field Officers all over the UK but our main area of operation is Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Any help will be greatly appreciated, contact us 01424 892381, email [email protected]

"We try to answer the phone 24/7 but however you contact us please let us know where you are and a post code is always useful these days."

Have you been affected by animal cruelty? What do you think of the amount of resources needed to combat these crimes? Leave your comments below.