Stray horses an increasing problem – ISPCA
Kevin McGinley, regional inspector for the ISPCA, said abandoned or stray horses are becoming an increasing problem in Donegal and around the country.
"It does present serious difficulties when horses have been abandoned or left stray along the side of the road, both for the welfare of the animal and for the general public," he said.
Now that the equine industry has collapsed, he said, "Either people are unable or unwilling to provide adequate veterinary treatment if required, and animals are actually being dumped when they present with veterinary difficulties."
He said the national ISPCA helpline received 453 calls in 2008, 1,140 calls in 2009 and more than 1,000 calls by May of this year.
"You can see a trend there," Mr McGinley said. He said identifying the owner of a stray or abandoned horse can be a problem.
"There is a percentage that you can identify, but unfortunately there are too many that we can't," he said. By law, all equines are to be microchipped, he said, but it becomes an issue of enforcement.
"What we tend to believe is during the boom times excessive numbers of horses were produced in Ireland, however the ensuing recession, combined with the collapse in equine prices, has resulted in large numbers of valueless horses for which owners are unable or unwilling to offer adequate care," he said. "That has been a trend over the last three years."
Mr McGinley, whose region also covers Sligo and Leitrim, has dealt with about 300 cruelty calls this year in Donegal alone. The regional inspector also said that all animals should be microchipped, "and this should be compulsory."
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Monday 21 May 2012
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