The Government veterinarian has come under renewed pressure to take action against a former blacksmith who owns starving horses.

And Dr. Jonathan Nisbett has once again been criticised for not taking the six animals into his care when he first inspected them more than three weeks ago.

Concerned horse lovers across the Island sprung into action when they saw pictures of one of the animals, owned by St. George's farrier John DeShields, in Monday's Royal Gazette .

They have now collected enough hay to feed the animals for the next two weeks and are also prepared to give all the animals a free medical -- but only on the condition that Dr. Nisbett seize the animals.

And what has angered the horsing community even further is that Dr. Nisbett failed to act sooner. Earlier this week the Government vet confirmed that he had inspected the animals more than three weeks ago but was powerless to do anything because he could not contact Mr. DeShields and there was no place to keep the animals.

But it has now emerged that the site of the stables is on Government property, giving Dr. Nisbett the authority to take responsibility for the animals without having to move them.

Horse lovers say vet must seize animals Last night Mr. DeShields remained adamant that only one of the six horses was seriously underweight and that was because it was sick.

He agreed that two others were slightly underweight but put that down to a change in feed.

He also denied rumours that one of the horses had been destroyed.

And he insisted that, although he appreciated people's concern, he would not accept their charity and will refuse to allow them on his property if they try to feed the horses.

"This whole thing has got out of hand,'' Mr. DeShields said.

"I have plenty of money to feed my horses and I don't need people's charity.

If I needed any help I would have gone to the Government vet in the first place. I'm not going to allow them on my property.

"The vet has been down here today along with an SPCA inspector and they are satisfied with the horses.

Blacksmith Heidi Mello, who organised the hay collection, said that people were only willing to help the animals if they were confiscated by Dr. Nisbett.

"I was deeply upset but I decided I didn't want to run down the Government vet or the owner, Ms Mello said.

"But everyone has said that they are willing to help on the condition that they are taken out of Mr. DeShields' care.

Stable owner Carl Terceira, who runs a business in Devonshire, also slammed Dr. Nisbett for failing to act earlier.

Mr. Terceira said he saw the animals a month ago -- prior to Dr. Nisbetts' visit -- and thought the horses were in a serious condition then.

Dr. Nisbett said that when he first saw the animals he did not believe they were dangerously underfed.

SPCA chairman Andrew Madeiros also expressed his concerns that "things had gone too far'' last night.

He said he planned to meet with Dr. Nisbett to find out all the facts but was worried that action had not been taken earlier.

"I have had no direct involvement in this case and I need to get all the facts together,'' Dr. Madeiros said.

"I have been told that Dr. Nisbett has given this guy two weeks to get his act together but certainly I have some concerns.

"We have had complaints about Mr. DeShields before. If they couldn't get in contact with the owner then perhaps that should have raised the question over whether he was still around or on the Island and if not, who is looking after the animals.'' Dr. Nisbett could not be contacted to discuss the issue.

Deserves better: One of six horses alleged to be malnourished at the hands of John Deshields.