OVER 100 HORSES are estimated to have been brought to an unauthorised horse fair in Dublin today.
The DSPCA has said that they are ‘extremely disappointed’ that the market took place at Newlands Cross in Clondalkin.
The market comes just one day before the Smithfield Horse Fair, which is authorised, takes place in Dublin City Centre.
A spokesperson for the DSPCA said that the timing is probably not coincidental and said the Clondalkin site is unsuitable for holding such fairs.
“The DSPCA maintains that there are no facilities in urban areas for either the keeping or housing of horses or for the holding of horse fairs.
“Having worked hard alongside a number of local authorities to control horse fairs of this manner over the last many years, the DSPCA hopes that today’s fair will not be a signal of a return to the kind of horrific animal cruelty witnessed in the Smithfield markets in the past.”
The Smithfield Horse Fair has been reduced to twice a year from monthly because of a number of concerns around the safety and welfare of both attendees and animals.
DSPCA inspectors and gardaí attended today’s fair, with the DSPCA expressing their gratitude to gardaí for their involvment. They called on South Dublin County Council to intervene.
“The DSPCA are calling on South Dublin County Council to ban any such fairs from taking place in the future.”
A garda spokesperson could not confirm any arrests had taken place. South Dublin County Council could not be reached for comment.
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