Calls have been made to introduce dedicated horse wardens both in Tipperary and nationwide.
It comes as Animal Welfare Groups from across the country attended a public meeting in Clonmel last night, in the wake of the horrific discovery of dead and dying horses in Tipperary before Christmas.
One of those who attended last night’s meeting in Clonmel there, who says that there is no system in place to deal with cases of animal cruelty properly.
Representatives from animal welfare groups, as well as members of the public, expressed their frustration and disgust at the current situation.
The public outcry follows the discovery of a number of dead and severely malnourished horses at a field in Knocklofty near Clonmel just before Christmas.
These people who were at last night’s meeting are demanding change…
Speakers talked at length about the need for microchips and passports to ensure owners can be identified.
Another issue which was raised at the meeting was that these horses are being bred indiscriminately.
One of those speakers says the foals that are of no use to the owners are the ones being left to starve – and people need to be educated to stop these breeding practices.
Three representatives from the Department of Agriculture were due at the meeting, however none attended. There were also no representatives from An Garda Siochana or the ISPCA.
Groups that did attend included My Lovely Horse, Charlies Horses and Limerick Animal Rescue, as well as horse owners and members of the public.
