Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many horses owned by his Department were subject to euthanasia in (a) 2012-13 and 2013-14; and what the reason was for euthanasia in each case.
Decisions to euthanise any animal in military service are only taken by a veterinarian officer after all possible treatment avenues have been exhausted and where it is considered to be the most humane option for the animal. The only other scenario where an animal would be euthanised is where it is considered to pose a risk to public safety
The tables show the number of military working horses that have been euthanised during 2012-13 and 2013-14, and the reasons for doing so:
2012-13
Reason | Number |
Colic | 6 |
Dangerous temperament | 1 |
Fractured tibia | 2 |
Ligament injury | 1 |
Navicular syndrome | 2 |
Navicular syndrome and arthritis | 2 |
Neoplasia | 2 |
Neurological Disease | 1 |
Osteoarthritis | 4 |
Osteoarthritis & chronic ligament injury | 1 |
Poor foot condition | 1 |
Severe rotation both front feet | 1 |
Tendon Injury | 1 |
Total | 25 |
2013-14
Reason | Number |
Chronic Lymphangitis | 1 |
Dangerous temperament | 1 |
Fractured tibia | 1 |
Ligament injury | 3 |
Navicular syndrome | 2 |
Navicular syndrome and arthritis | 1 |
Neurological Disease | 1 |
Osteoarthritis | 4 |
Poor foot condition | 1 |
Ruptured artery after treatment for injury | 1 |
Total | 16 |