WARNING: This article contains images of a graphic nature.
THE ISPCA IS appealing for information after the horrific discovery of two horses who had been shot and left on the side of a road and in a nearby field earlier this week.
ISPCA inspector Lisa O’Donovan was called to the scene in Glenanaar, Ardpatrick, on the Cork / Limerick county border.
On arrival, she saw a dead horse lying on the side of the road and another mare running loose in a frantic state.
A third mare was discovered in a nearby field, unable to stand and bleeding profusely from a wound on her side. She had also lost the foal that she had been carrying. A veterinary surgeon was immediately called but the wounded horse died of her injuries.
The uninjured but traumatised horse found running around at the scene was secured and escorted away.
Examinations of the two dead horses found they had both been shot – a single puncture wound to their right flanks.
O’Donovan described it as a “horrendous situation”.
It was horrific to find the pregnant mare in such distress and fighting for life. We can now confirm that she was six months pregnant. It is unimaginable to consider what she had gone through in this remote setting. Thankfully the mare that we removed is safe in our care and getting the best possible attention.
“At this point in time we do not know how the horses came to be in this position,” commented the ISPCA’s Conor Dowling. “None are identifiable as they were not microchipped. Whatever the circumstances, these animals endured the most terrible suffering.”
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said on Twitter that he was “disgusted” to hear the news. He pledged to “do everything possible to take tough action” and urged anyone with information to come forward.
They are appealing to anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or Killmallock Garda Station.
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