Amy Pirie, who has run the Horse Sense Wirral Animal Charity for 18 years, has been subjected to seven months of relentless online trolling following a dispute over the rehoming of a horse. The harassment, which included false accusations and escalated to in-person incidents like fireworks being set off near the charity’s horse paddocks, has caused significant stress, a decline in donations, and volunteers feeling unsafe. Amy was hospitalized with pericarditis, a heart condition causing permanent chest pain, which she links to the stress from the trolling, and both she and her mother experienced suicidal thoughts during the ordeal.

Merseyside Police are actively investigating the malicious communications made against the charity on a local Facebook group, with a dedicated officer assigned to the case. They have received multiple reports since June and are gathering evidence to identify and potentially prosecute those responsible. The police have pledged to support Amy and take action if a crime is confirmed. The article also highlights the availability of support services like Samaritans for those struggling with mental health issues.