‘Butchered’ horse leads to demand for action

By Mary Dennehy

CALLS have been made for South Dublin County Council to introduce bye-laws banning loose horses from the local authority area, after a foaling mare was “butchered” and left to die in Rathfarnham.

The disturbing act of cruelty happened on Stocking Avenue in Rathfarnham and involved a mare being cut open while trying to give birth to her foal.

Members of the public contacted the gardai and the local authority about the distressed mare but received no immediate response, which saw a call placed with My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR).

Two volunteers raced to the scene, but sadly found the mare, which the charity called Heather, dead and her foal missing.

MLHR confirmed that Heather had no chip and after an initial investigation at the scene, which was later attended by gardai, it was concluded that this devastating act was not performed by a vet.

According to MLHR: “We don’t know what happened and who performed this act, but we have requested a post-mortem.

“Cruelty is happening on council and NAMA land in broad daylight every day. We can only do so much as a voluntary organisation.”

After viewing a disturbing video featuring the mare, Rathafarnham Sinn Féin councillor Sarah Holland has recommended that if South Dublin County Council cannot afford to help urban horse-owners manage their animals, then loose horses should be excluded from the local authority area completely.

According to Cllr Holland the animal was “butchered” and left to die in terrible pain, without veterinary care, with the carcass remaining at the scene for a number of weeks after.

“I raised this with [council] management who promised to look into it,” Cllr Holland said.

“My feeling is that if we, as a local authority, cannot afford to help urban horse-owners manage their animals then we should exclude loose horses from the council area completely.

“I cannot bear to see horses left without shelter or water, tied up or left to die for want of proper care.”

Issues around horse welfare and cruelty have been widely published by My Lovely Horse Rescue which, providing an on-the-ground rescue service for horses, runs a charity shop in Rathfarnham village.

After the charity publicised the disturbing case of cruelty in Rathfarnham, Cllr Holland was contacted by residents who questioned what local authorities, gardai and charitable organisations are doing to combat animal cruelty.

“This council has a good record on supporting urban horse ownership with the recent opening of the stables in Clondalkin, but more needs to be done,” Cllr Holland said.

“Horses can be bought and sold on Facebook and other sites for less than €50, and with no real understanding among those buying them of the level of care needed to keep these animals healthy and happy.

“I say bring in bye-laws to ban them until such time as we have to resources in place to properly support urban horse owners.”

“That won’t be a popular opinion, but I don’t want to see another ill-treated horse dying.”

For more on My Lovely Horse Rescue, visit the group’s Facebook page.