(ANSA) - Rome, July 22 - Horses have joined dogs on the list of animals being regularly ditched by owners as a result of the economic crisis, the Veterinary Bioethics Committee has warned.

In a report delivered to the Italian Senate, the committee warned that animals and their healthcare are increasingly viewed as a 'luxury' item that can be disposed of during tight financial times.

This attitude has apparently led to a rising number of abandoned pets, plummeting levels of care, and a growing willingness to have animals put down rather than shell out for medical treatment, the committee said.

"It's a bit early to finalize official data but the trend is that a growing number of animals are being dumped because of the economic crisis," said Committee President Pasqualino Santori, who presented the report.

"It appears that owners are spending a lot less on preventative treatment. This is based on a very widespread perception among vet, as well as on figures from pharmaceutical companies indicating a drop in the purchase of animal medication, especially preventative treatment".

One particularly disturbing aspect of this trend is a sharp rise in the number of horses being abandoned.

The president of the Rome Province Veterinarians' Order, Donatella Loni, told the Senate that the economic crisis had caused an 80% reduction in the horse livestock trade.

"We are effectively talking about a sector in full crisis," she said.

"Many breeders, rather than making personal sacrifices, have simply abandoned their animals".

Loni said the trend had been under way for some time "but has deteriorated radically over the last year", as fewer and fewer Italians can afford to buy horses, leaving breeders struggling to make ends meet.

Commenting on the report, animal welfare group LAV said it reflected a worrying attitude towards animals among parts of the Italian public.

"The decision to buy a dog as a consumer product when there are free animals in need of adoption or the decision to deny an animal medical treatment as it nears the end of its life are two sides of the same coin," said LAV President Gianluca Felicetti.

"This is indicative of a society that continues to use animals for its own pleasure and which struggles to translate words into deeds when it comes to taking concrete protective action".

The ditching of animals, particularly over the summer months when owners go on holiday, has long been a problem in Italy but this is the first time the alarm has been raised over horses.

Extensive campaigning by animal welfare groups and a string of legislative measures in recent years have improved the situation slightly.

However, most measures - such as obligatory microchipping and a central owners' register - are specifically targeted at protecting dogs.

There are no similar provisions in place to protect other animals, such as cats, birds or horses.