You may recall the major rescue Crosskennan volunteers undertook on behalf on Cavehill Country Park. A large herd of wild horses had been dumped within the perimeter of the Park and therefore the Park Manager contacted us for help as the ponies had become a significant risk to the public by biting and kicking people who attempted to get close to them. We mounted a 6 month rescue operation at considerable expense to ourselves on the understanding that the Belfast City Council would cover all costs incurred by us. They instructed us to hire stables to house the horses, many of whom were heavy in foal, and the Council agreed they would reimburse all our expenses. Due to the horses being unhandled and the treacherous terrain, the rescue was fraught with danger for both our volunteers and the horses - the whole rescue operation had to be meticulously planned by Lyn who made a daily trek on foot to reach the horses and ensure we could gain their trust. After months of hard work and dedication, we finally removed the last of the horses who had just given birth to her little colt foal, Murray.
Relived at having all the horses safely moved, we then started to make provisions to have all the stallions castrated and ensure the heavily pregnant mares where suitably housed so they could be closely monitored.
We did all this work in good faith, yet after initially paying the costs as agreed, the Council then decided they would ignore our invoices without explanation. We have made numerous requests to meet with them to discuss the matter, but our requests were ignored and our phone calls not returned!
We have now gone public with this whole unsavoury saga as the debts we've incurred whilst awaiting payment from the council will now directly result in the closure of Crosskennan and NI's only safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected horses. Please read the BBC's coverage via this link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27063067
You can make a donation to Crosskennan via this link:http://www.crosskennanlane.org.uk/Make-a-Donation.aspx
Please sign this petition in order to show the council that you believe they should cover the bill and save the sanctuary and it's animals from closure.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 22, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
April 22, 2014
336 Comments
As Chairman of a UK Equine Rescue Charity, and knowing how difficult funds are to come by, I am appalled by the actions of Belfast City Council which are putting the welfare of Irish horses at risk by jeopardizing the future of Crosskennen.
please honour the agreement made when you asked this charity to assist with the removal of these horses. The costs have been very high to the charity and other charities will be reluctant to help in the future.
In terms of budget, £63k is small for Belfast .C. They can donate it from slippage, do the right thing. If we lose Crosskennan, we lose the one Sanctuary that has worked tirelessly for our country.
More broken promises by Belfast City Council, animals and people let down yet again. This place must not close, it is a charity kept open by the kindness of people, people who pay tax and the wages of those who have let them down.
Council called in Crosskennan as they were worried about huge compensation claim if someone got injured! Once the "danger" was removed they don't want to know!! Typical, shame on the council.
disgraceful!!
It is vital Crosskennan stay open for the sake of every animal
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You may recall the major rescue Crosskennan volunteers undertook on behalf on Cavehill Country Park. A large herd of wild horses had been dumped within the perimeter of the Park and therefore the Park Manager contacted us for help as the ponies had become a significant risk to the public by biting and kicking people who attempted to get close to them. We mounted a 6 month rescue operation at considerable expense to ourselves on the understanding that the Belfast City Council would cover all costs incurred by us. They instructed us to hire stables to house the horses, many of whom were heavy in foal, and the Council agreed they would reimburse all our expenses. Due to the horses being unhandled and the treacherous terrain, the rescue was fraught with danger for both our volunteers and the horses - the whole rescue operation had to be meticulously planned by Lyn who made a daily trek on foot to reach the horses and ensure we could gain their trust. After months of hard work and dedication, we finally removed the last of the horses who had just given birth to her little colt foal, Murray.
Relived at having all the horses safely moved, we then started to make provisions to have all the stallions castrated and ensure the heavily pregnant mares where suitably housed so they could be closely monitored.
We did all this work in good faith, yet after initially paying the costs as agreed, the Council then decided they would ignore our invoices without explanation. We have made numerous requests to meet with them to discuss the matter, but our requests were ignored and our phone calls not returned!
We have now gone public with this whole unsavoury saga as the debts we've incurred whilst awaiting payment from the council will now directly result in the closure of Crosskennan and NI's only safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected horses. Please read the BBC's coverage via this link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27063067
You can make a donation to Crosskennan via this link:http://www.crosskennanlane.org.uk/Make-a-Donation.aspx
Please sign this petition in order to show the council that you believe they should cover the bill and save the sanctuary and it's animals from closure.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 22, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
April 22, 2014
336 Comments
Honor your agreement Belfast City Council. You called upon this sanctuary for help when you needed them and they rose to the challenge; and now you won't pay up? That's dishonest and despicable.
As Chairman of a UK Equine Rescue Charity, and knowing how difficult funds are to come by, I am appalled by the actions of Belfast City Council which are putting the welfare of Irish horses at risk by jeopardizing the future of Crosskennen.
please honour the agreement made when you asked this charity to assist with the removal of these horses. The costs have been very high to the charity and other charities will be reluctant to help in the future.
In terms of budget, £63k is small for Belfast .C. They can donate it from slippage, do the right thing. If we lose Crosskennan, we lose the one Sanctuary that has worked tirelessly for our country.
More broken promises by Belfast City Council, animals and people let down yet again. This place must not close, it is a charity kept open by the kindness of people, people who pay tax and the wages of those who have let them down.
Council called in Crosskennan as they were worried about huge compensation claim if someone got injured! Once the "danger" was removed they don't want to know!! Typical, shame on the council.
disgraceful!!
It is vital Crosskennan stay open for the sake of every animal
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Honor your agreement Belfast City Council. You called upon this sanctuary for help when you needed them and they rose to the challenge; and now you won't pay up? That's dishonest and despicable.