AFTER RAISING CLOSE to €2000, animal rescue volunteers were able to release seven horses from a pound just hours before the animals were due to be destroyed.

The animals, a collection of horses, ponies and Shetland ponies, were originally cared for by local groups in Dungarvan after it was it appeared that they had been abandoned by their owners, and left without food or fresh water for several weeks.

More than a week ago, volunteers discovered that the horses had been released from their field and let out onto local roads.

Authorities collected eight of the animals and took them to a pound in Cork, and were due to be put down on Tuesday evening unless there were claimed.

Unknown

However, the whereabouts of several other horses released from the field remain unknown.

After negotiations with local equine rescue centres, the volunteers were given until Thursday evening to raise the funds to release the horses, and were given a reduced rate.

After a social media campaign, the volunteers raised close to the required €1750 needed to release seven of the horses, with the eight believed to have been collected by its original owners.

Inspections

Joe Ahearne Murphy from Charlie’s Equine Rescue told TheJournal.ie that while pound authorities were willing for the horses to be taken by his rescue centre, inspectors will be assigned to check up on the animal’s situations in the coming months.

He also extended his thanks to those in Durgarvan County Council who facilitated the rescue.

Authorities also verified that the rescue centre works under and complies with government guidelines.