Drivers targeted in West Yorkshire horse crime crackdown
Drivers who pass horses and their riders too close or too fast will be targeted as part of a crackdown on equine crime, a police force has said.Operation Gallop would focus on issues affecting horse owners and riders as part of a national week of action, according to West Yorkshire Police.As part of the operation, equestrians would be encouraged to sign up to the force's Horsewatch scheme, which had seen the number of horses reported stolen falling from 65 to seven in the 15 years since its introduction, a spokesperson said.Officers would also visit stables to advise on preventing horsebox theft, which Shaun Taylor, the force's wildlife crime officer, said was "an increasing problem".
"This includes keeping a record of the serial numbers and any custom markings on the trailer, as well as forensically marking them," Mr Taylor said."With the increasing use of police drones, owners can also consider putting some kind of marking on top of the box that will make it stand out when viewed from above."Mr Taylor said the week of action was also intended to "educate road users about how to safely pass horses on the roads"."Drivers should slow down to a maximum of 10mph and allow a two metre distance when passing. They should then drive slowly away once safely past," he added.
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Daily Record
18 hours ago
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Eleanor Sullivan, 66, also said she immediately felt a duty to rescue the Cavapoo pup - which she called Jax - due to its pitiful condition when shown it. Former school worker Eleanor, from Cumbernauld, said: 'Jax was a bit of a sorry state, with terrible ear mites and a cough but I had to rescue this defenceless animal. 'I had a dog cage at the bottom of my bed but when I locked the door the pup went mad, throwing himself at the cage door.' Eleanor said the dog looked 'lost' and behaved like it had never interacted with humans before. She said: 'It was shaking and looked terrified. It was obvious from the start that the pups weren't right and Jax looked a lot younger than the eight weeks Julie said she was. 'I also discovered that different adverts were appearing online, supposedly selling the same dogs but with different phone numbers. I think it was just a conveyor belt of pups. 'These people rely on people like me forming an instant attachment. They shouldn't be allowed to have anything to do with animals.' The Record told yesterday how PC Elaine McArthur's cockapoo pup Marley fought for life then died of deadly parvo virus, three days after leaving Taylor's home. Distraught mum Elaine turned the tables on Taylor by calling in SSPCA investigators, who raided the trader's home and shut the operation down. Taylor, 41, was caught red handed with 16 terrified dogs, of various breeds, being held in a filthy toilet and covered in dog waste. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Taylor admitted cruelty and operating without a licence, which saw her banned from keeping dogs for 10 years at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. Taylor's defence lawyer Graeme Cunningham said he could not deny that she was the front of an 'abhorrent' puppy farm operation, where dogs were badly treated then sold on for large amounts of cash. Taylor was also given a Community Payback Order to include unpaid work of 240 hours. She will also face a Proceeds of Crime investigation and could have thousands of pounds clawed back.
