Ryedale | Archive | 2003 | August | 06
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Wednesday 6th Aug 2003.
THE RSPCA is calling on the public to help eliminate a notorious killer of horses.
The culprit is the yellow-headed ragwort weed, which is registered under the Weeds Act of 1959 as injurious.
The RSPCA says it results in the painful death of horses, ponies and donkeys every year.
It can be lethal whether eaten fresh or dried in hay.
"There is no cure for ragwort poisoning and the only effective prevention is elimination of the plants before they claim lives," said the RSPCA regional superintendent for Yorkshire and the north-east, Dave Millard.
"It is essential that horse owners are vigilant and that land owners take action to wipe out this pernicious weed.
"The RSPCA advises that an appropriate weed killer can effectively control ragwort; digging out the entire plant may also prove successful, although no root must be left behind."
Updated: 11:36 Wednesday, August 06, 2003
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