DSPCA calls for task force to address 'growing' horse welfare crisis in Dublin
The charity said the shocking incident raises 'urgent concerns about public safety and animal welfare' and called for a multi-agency task force to address 'the growing equine welfare crisis in Dublin'.
Footage
of the incident in Clondalkin, west Dublin shows a number of people riding horses, while others are driving traps led by horses as part of a funeral procession.
One horse crashes head first into a car, after the trap driver loses control. The horse survived.
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The incident has been condemned by leading animal rescue charity My Lovely Horse. Martina Kenny, who co-founded the charity,
has called for a dedicated animal welfare policing unit
to be established.
She said that such a large number of horses and traps shouldn't be allowed on main roads and that a crackdown is needed to effectively enforce laws around the treatment of animals.
In a statement today, the DSPCA described the footage of the incident as 'disturbing' and said it has left the local community 'shaken'.
'The DSPCA is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. The video clearly shows a complete lack of care and responsibility on the part of the individual in control of the horse and sulky cart,' it said.
'This reckless behaviour not only endangered the horse's welfare but also posed a serious risk to public safety, including to the grieving family and community members attending the funeral.'
'Rise in equine welfare cases'
The animal welfare organisation also said the incident highlights 'repeated breaches of several key pieces of legislation' that is 'too often ignored in Dublin and beyond', including the Road Traffic Act, the Control of Horses Act 1996 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
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The DSPCA continued: 'Sadly, this is not an isolated case.
The presence of horses on city streets has increased significantly in the past year, and the DSPCA has seen a rise in equine welfare cases as a result.
The organisation said that many of these animals suffer due to inadequate care, training, and oversight, adding that 'it is the horses that continue to pay the price'.
'DSPCA is calling for a multi-agency task force to address the growing equine welfare crisis in Dublin. A strategic, coordinated response is needed to prevent more incidents like this taking place.'
The DSPCA said it is actively investigating this incident in collaboration with Gardaí and urged anyone who witnessed it or who may have further video footage or information to come forward.
'Please contact the DSPCA Inspectorate in confidence at 01 499 4727 or email inspectors@dspca.ie or the Garda Confidential Line, freephone 1800 666 111.'
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Urgent action cry after ‘terrified' horse crashes into car on busy road during funeral procession as gardai launch probe
A number of carts and sulkies were travelling alongside the horse-drawn sulky 'URBAN COWBOYS' Urgent action cry after 'terrified' horse crashes into car on busy road during funeral procession as gardai launch probe GARDAI are investigating an incident where a 'terrified' horse crashed into a moving car during a funeral procession in Dublin 22. The horror crash, involving the horse-drawn sulky and car, occurred on Coldcut Road in Clondalkin at around 1.45pm on Monday. 3 A horse was injured after colliding with an oncoming car in Dublin Credit: Social Media Collect @MyLovelyHorseRescue 3 The horse-drawn sulky hit the car during a funeral Credit: Social Media Collect @MyLovelyHorseRescue Advertisement Footage circulated online of a horse galloping at speed down the Coldcut Road. A number of carts and sulkies were travelling alongside the horse-drawn sulky, some displaying funeral flowers. The horse-drawn sulky overtakes the hearse and the driver approaches lights at a crossroad. The person on the cart is heard shouting 'no' at traffic and the cart goes through a red light. Advertisement The horse then collided straight into the side of a back passenger door of a silver car that was coming from the Liffey Valley direction. A loud thud is heard, along with some shouting and the clip ends with the horse lying on the road. A vet rushed to the scene and treated the horse which survived the collision. But My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue charity blasted the 'urban cowboys' for putting 'blood on our streets' and demanded new animal protection laws and a garda-led animal welfare unit. Advertisement A spokesperson said: 'A funeral procession of a road traffic victim became chaos. 'Horses galloping along footpaths. Sulkies and traps weaving through traffic. Then the crash. 'A terrified horse ran into a turning car. Left bleeding, with a deep cut across its head, lying on the road as Gardai arrived.' The charity warned the 'reality' of the incident results in Road Traffic Act breaches and causes major animal welfare issues. They stressed there was 'no regulation, no insurance, no roadworthiness' and said pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers were put at 'serious risk' during the incident. Advertisement The animal rescuers said the horse was 'exhausted' and 'terrified' during the ordeal. The charity blasted: 'This is not tradition. This is lawlessness and cruelty.' CALLS FOR NEW UNIT My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue is calling for a Garda-led Animal Welfare Crime Unit. They believe a dedicated garda unit would be 'empowered to investigate and act" on animal welfare issues. The Edenderry based charity told how they're left "picking up the pieces" after similar events. Advertisement They suggested that "increased" and "sustained funding" for rescues is urgently needed. The group is calling for "modern" and "enforceable laws" to protect animals and the public. INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED Gardai confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the horror incident. A garda spokesperson said: 'Gardai received a report of a road traffic collision involving a car and a sulky that occurred on Coldcut Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 at approximately 1.45pm on Monday, 10th August 2025. 'No injuries to persons were reported. Advertisement "A vet attended the scene and treated a horse which survived the collision. 'Gardai in Ronanstown are investigating this incident and are liaising with the relevant animal welfare organisations.' The charity has launched a petition to demand urgent action and appreciate any donations of support.
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
DSPCA calls for task force to address 'growing' horse welfare crisis in Dublin
THE DSPCA HAS said it is 'deeply shocked and horrified' by an incident where a horse drawing a trap collided with a car on a Dublin road earlier this week. The charity said the shocking incident raises 'urgent concerns about public safety and animal welfare' and called for a multi-agency task force to address 'the growing equine welfare crisis in Dublin'. Footage of the incident in Clondalkin, west Dublin shows a number of people riding horses, while others are driving traps led by horses as part of a funeral procession. One horse crashes head first into a car, after the trap driver loses control. The horse survived. Advertisement The incident has been condemned by leading animal rescue charity My Lovely Horse. Martina Kenny, who co-founded the charity, has called for a dedicated animal welfare policing unit to be established. She said that such a large number of horses and traps shouldn't be allowed on main roads and that a crackdown is needed to effectively enforce laws around the treatment of animals. In a statement today, the DSPCA described the footage of the incident as 'disturbing' and said it has left the local community 'shaken'. 'The DSPCA is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. The video clearly shows a complete lack of care and responsibility on the part of the individual in control of the horse and sulky cart,' it said. 'This reckless behaviour not only endangered the horse's welfare but also posed a serious risk to public safety, including to the grieving family and community members attending the funeral.' 'Rise in equine welfare cases' The animal welfare organisation also said the incident highlights 'repeated breaches of several key pieces of legislation' that is 'too often ignored in Dublin and beyond', including the Road Traffic Act, the Control of Horses Act 1996 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Related Reads 'Awful to watch': Outrage over video of horse and trap crashing into car on Dublin road Opinion: Is it time to put an end to carriage horses in Dublin? The DSPCA continued: 'Sadly, this is not an isolated case. The presence of horses on city streets has increased significantly in the past year, and the DSPCA has seen a rise in equine welfare cases as a result. The organisation said that many of these animals suffer due to inadequate care, training, and oversight, adding that 'it is the horses that continue to pay the price'. 'DSPCA is calling for a multi-agency task force to address the growing equine welfare crisis in Dublin. A strategic, coordinated response is needed to prevent more incidents like this taking place.' The DSPCA said it is actively investigating this incident in collaboration with Gardaí and urged anyone who witnessed it or who may have further video footage or information to come forward. 'Please contact the DSPCA Inspectorate in confidence at 01 499 4727 or email inspectors@ or the Garda Confidential Line, freephone 1800 666 111.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish drivers face €1,000 fine if they ignore one rule this week
Ireland is currently enjoying heatwave conditions, with temperatures reaching a sizzling 28C on Tuesday. Met Eireann says the heat will linger and intensify heading in the weekend, with highs of 30C possible in some parts of the country. As the mercury rises, many drivers will be tempted to cool down their cars before setting off. But experts have warned that a common habit could land motorists with a hefty fine - or even jail time - if caught by gardai. Leaving a car unattended with the engine running, even to use the air conditioning, is illegal under Irish law. Offenders can face fines of up to €1,000 for a first offence, €2,000 for a second, and in repeated cases, courts can impose up to three months in prison alongside a fine. The law, outlined in Regulation 87 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963, makes it an offence for drivers to leave their vehicles unattended on a public road unless specific conditions are met. The regulations state that a driver shall not leave a vehicle unattended "unless the engine of the vehicle is not running". A spokesperson for the Department of Transport previously confirmed the penalties to the Irish Mirror, noting that enforcement is at the discretion of gardai. The penalties for this offence, provided by Section 102 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, are: (a) in the case of a first offence, to a fine of up to € 1,000, (b) in the case of a second offence (or of a third or subsequent such offence other than an offence referred to in the next paragraph) to a fine of up to € 2,000, and (c) in the case of a third or subsequent offence in any period of twelve consecutive months - to a fine of up to € 2,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to up to three months imprisonment or to both a fine and imprisonment. READ MORE: Irish drivers have until Wednesday night to remove 3 items from their cars Beyond the legal risks, AA Ireland also warns that leaving your car unattended with the engine running - even for a short time - makes it an easy target for opportunistic thieves. A notice on its website, referring to cold weather, is just as relevant during hot spells when drivers might leave cars running to cool them down. It reads: "Once you put the key in the ignition, stay by your car at all times. Car thieves love an icy morning and every winter cars are stolen while their owners go inside for warmth waiting for their car to defrost. It's actually an offence to leave your car unattended with the engine running. You've been warned." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
