‘Heartbroken and horrified' – Garda probe launched as footage emerges of boys beating horses in Tipperary
Gardaí said they are aware of a video in circulation online and through direct messaging apps that depicts an incident of animal cruelty involving a horse, and which is alleged that it occurred at a location in Clonmel, Co Tipperary on Sunday, May 11.
'Efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the time and date cited in the video, however, our enquiries remain ongoing,' said a garda spokesperson.
Gardaí and Inspectors from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) visited the location shown in the video on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, to search a number of acres of farmland.
The welfare of all the animals present was checked and inspected. No alleged offences under the Animal and Welfare Act were identified during this search and there were no concerns for the welfare of the animals present. Enquiries are ongoing, added the spokesperson.
Animal welfare groups have called on members of the public who witness such animal abuse to call local gardaí. On Monday, May 12, My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue said they were 'heartbroken and horrified by the footage of two ponies being viciously whipped in Clonmel just yesterday.'
'No animal should ever endure such cruelty. This is not an isolated case. We now have further witness statements and evidence pointing to ongoing abuse in the area – involving more than just horses. The incident has been reported to the gardaí. But we need your help to strengthen the case and push for real action.
'If you have any footage, photos, or information that can support justice, please send it to us as soon as possible. If you witness cruelty, record it only if safe to do so. Report it to the gardaí immediately.
'We are calling for immediate action. The time for change is now. We are their voices. We will not stop until justice is done,' added a spokesperson.
Nearly 2,000 people have commented on the 19-second video clip shared by My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue.
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Independent Tipperary Cllr Liam Browne said he has spoken with gardaí, county council representatives and the ISPCA. 'All three agencies are dealing with the contents and I'm happy to allow them continue their investigations and to come to hopefully satisfactory conclusions,' said Cllr Browne.
'From my own point of view, this needs to be dealt with under a number of pieces of legislation, that is the Animal Welfare Act 2013 and the Control of Horses Act 1996. On a broader comment, I would absolutely condemn anyone who harms or abuses an animal in any way. Anyone. And any animal.
'There is no excuse for it, and personally if an investigation concludes an animal has been harmed, it should be taken, and those involved should never be allowed own or have animals again.
'This issue has arisen on a number of occasions both at district and plenary meetings of the council, and each time councillors have expressed the need for increased services to deal with animal welfare. I, and I am sure my fellow councillors, will continue to ask for these services.
'I also believe that national legislation should be changed to restrict the driving of sulkies by children. Currently it's illegal to drive an electric scooter or bike on the roads, by a person under 16 years of age, but we allow children no more than four or five to take charge of horses on busy roads.
"This is a danger to the horses, road users and most importantly the children themselves. 'Culture' or 'tradition' or 'entitlement' should have no part in this conversation. It's about safety.
'National legislators need to grasp this nettle once and for all. It's time they did so. As for the current incident, please allow the proper authorities to complete their investigations,' added Cllr Browne.
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