STAFF at an East London nursery have hit back at claims made on Facebook that the nursery chronically neglects a pony in its care.
Shireen Harvett, daughter of Amalinda Nursery owner Malcolm Page, on Tuesday told the Daily Dispatch that the pony “wasn’t in a bad condition at all”.
Harvett said the nursery had been unfairly attacked and “slandered” on a closed Facebook group, “Name and Shame East London”.
Harvett said the pony, named Girlie, had been with the family for close to 20 years. While admitting that Girlie’s saddle and halter were “worse for wear”, Harvett denied the pony was neglected.
“Yes, it’s a bad reflection on us , but this slander is unnecessary.”
Amalinda Nursery was accused on Facebook of neglecting Girlie, allegedly by horse lover Suzette Language. Language said the pony’s living conditions, feed and harnesses were all of an exceptionally poor standard.
Girlie’s halter, Language told the Daily Dispatch, had been cable-tied in parts and had to be cut off, leaving indentations on Girlie’s face.
Some of the comments made on the closed Facebook group included: “Poor neglected pony ... stands most of the day with no grazing and there is no hay-net or feed in sight. SPCA senior inspector Lionel Taylor said the SPCA had visited Amalinda Nursery a number of times with regard to the pony, with the most recent visit being on Saturday.
“There wasn’t any one problem , there is a list of problems,” Taylor told the Dispatch yesterday.
He added that problems regarding Girlie’s care were the result of ignorance, not deliberate cruelty.
“The owners have been working with us and they are willing to accept help and training about how best to look after the pony,” Taylor added.
Nursery hits back in neglect claim
STAFF at an East London nursery have hit back at claims made on Facebook that the nursery chronically neglects a pony in its care.
Shireen Harvett, daughter of Amalinda Nursery owner Malcolm Page, on Tuesday told the Daily Dispatch that the pony “wasn’t in a bad condition at all”.
Harvett said the nursery had been unfairly attacked and “slandered” on a closed Facebook group, “Name and Shame East London”.
Harvett said the pony, named Girlie, had been with the family for close to 20 years. While admitting that Girlie’s saddle and halter were “worse for wear”, Harvett denied the pony was neglected.
“Yes, it’s a bad reflection on us , but this slander is unnecessary.”
Amalinda Nursery was accused on Facebook of neglecting Girlie, allegedly by horse lover Suzette Language. Language said the pony’s living conditions, feed and harnesses were all of an exceptionally poor standard.
Girlie’s halter, Language told the Daily Dispatch, had been cable-tied in parts and had to be cut off, leaving indentations on Girlie’s face.
Some of the comments made on the closed Facebook group included: “Poor neglected pony ... stands most of the day with no grazing and there is no hay-net or feed in sight. SPCA senior inspector Lionel Taylor said the SPCA had visited Amalinda Nursery a number of times with regard to the pony, with the most recent visit being on Saturday.
“There wasn’t any one problem , there is a list of problems,” Taylor told the Dispatch yesterday.
He added that problems regarding Girlie’s care were the result of ignorance, not deliberate cruelty.
“The owners have been working with us and they are willing to accept help and training about how best to look after the pony,” Taylor added.
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