THE OWNER of the Hampshire village cattle beaten in a sickening baseball attack by young thugs has launched a new animal welfare course for teenagers.

Carol Boulton hopes to teach youngsters the importance of caring for animals as a tribute to Humphrey, the arthritic 16-year-old Hereford-cross that was destroyed following the attack in West End.

Carol has set up a horse care course in conjunction with Eastleigh College that will train students aged 16 and 17 to Assoc-iation of British Riding School standards.

But the animal rescue centre owner hopes the course will also help to spread the animal welfare message to youngsters throughout the area.

Humphrey's death in April sparked outcry around the country after he was attacked by a gang of thugs aged just nine, 11 and 12 years old.

Carol, who runs The Epona Trust in Allington Lane, said of the children who escaped with a ticking off from Hampshire police: "They did not really understand that he was a sentient being and I think that's a problem with a lot of youngsters.

"I'm not saying that the type of people on this course will have to be shown what to do but they have friends who also have friends. In that way it spreads the word that animal welfare is important."

Plans for the course, which will begin next month, gathered pace when Carol saw the degree of national and local outcry at the youngsters' attack.

Carol said: "There are certain things that spur you into action. We had been talking about doing this course for quite a few years.

"But because of what happened to Humphrey and the response I had from people I felt there was a huge amount of people who do care but sometimes do not know what they can do to help."

A taster session for the 30-week course is being offered on Sunday, October 15, 2-4pm.

Anyone wanting more information should contact either Carol at The Russell Equestrian Centre in Allington Lane, or Eastleigh College.

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