From left - Association hon. Secretary Alexander Yee, chairman Johnson Or and Polo captain Dores S. Asaad.
KOTA KINABALU: No horses belonging to the Sabah Polo Association have ever been mistreated, says its chairman Johnson Or.
Addressing media reports and claims that horses under the association's care were malnourished and treated cruelly, Or said the animals in the images and videos being circulated belonged to a privately-owned establishment.
“(The accusation against us) is not true. In fact, the horses belonging to our association were already sold off a few months ago,” he told a press conference here on Thursday (Oct 19).
“The association wishes to clear up (any) misunderstanding. The horses referred to in the publication neither belong to the association, nor have we neglected or ill-treated our horses," he said.
“The horses referred to in the (article)... belong to an establishment using the association’s premises to stable its horses,” he added.
Or said the responsibility for the maintenance and care of those horses lay with the owners.
He also stressed that the association was against any form of cruelty or neglect towards animals, especially horses.
“We appreciate the media’s role in bringing this matter to light and we are aware that officers from the state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) have in fact (checked on) these horses.
“We trust and appreciate that the department will conduct any investigation professionally, diligently and fairly," he added.
On behalf of the 35-member association, Or urged for patience while the department conducted its probe.
A local publication recently reported on the terrible state of the horses in Tuaran, including photos of emaciated horses as well as injuries on the animals, with maggot-infested legs.
The article resulted in a public outcry against the association.
There are about 10 horses reportedly in such condition, and DVS officers have already been called in to tend to them.
