ISPCA seeks homes for 25 animals, including prize-winning racehorse
The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is appealing for homes for 25 rescued ponies, donkeys, and horses that are currently in the society's care.
One of the horses in the ISPCA's care is Dash, a racehorse who has won over €20,000 in his racing career.
The ISPCA's head of animal welfare, Denise McCausland said: "Dash is one of our equines rescued last October, and he will be looking for a new home in the coming months. He was left tied to a fence in Ballinasloe [Co. Galway], in an emaciated condition and covered in sores. Through his microchip, it was established that Dash was on the racecourse as recently as last July.
"Further enquiries revealed that, like many racehorses, he was sold on when he was not racing well. Sadly, for Dash, he passed through several hands, and it is believed that he was used for trotting, before being rescued by the ISPCA.”
Damage caused to wooden fencing during Storm Éowyn has made it difficult for the ISPCA to find space for animals.
"With several equines that are ready to go to new homes now, we are trying to find suitable homes, where our horses, ponies and donkeys can continue their ongoing rehabilitation, whilst, at the same time, we will be making space for more equines to be admitted," McCausland said.
"We have more equines undergoing intensive veterinary treatment, so they will need to remain in our care for some time yet, but we urgently need to make room to help more emaciated, injured, and cruelly treated equines, that will need to be brought in by our animal welfare inspectors."
The ISPCA has also urged the public to report any suspicions of animal cruelty, neglect, or abuse to its confidential helpline at 0818 515 515.
Last week, February 27, Sinn Féin TD for Limerick, Maurice Quinlivan criticised the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for “not doing its job properly” regarding wandering horses in Co. Limerick.
According to the TD, 1,431 wandering or stray horses have been collected in Limerick city since 2015. He believes it is a “major problem” in towns and cities.
In a parliamentary question, Deputy Quinlivan said that most of the horses seized before 2019 ended up being euthanised.
“The failure to address this issue over the years must end. It is simply unfair on the animals, local communities who witness the abuse and neglect regularly, and animal welfare organisations and their volunteers,” he said.
