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Horses killed after being ‘let loose’ onto main road

Gardaí in County Donegal are investigating two road traffic collisions that resulted in the death of horses yesterday (Monday, May 24th, 2021).

According to a Facebook page called Donegal Crimebusters, a “paddock gate, chained and locked” was “screwed off posts”, and a “horse was let loose” onto the main Letterkenny to Kilmacrennan N56 route.

The page reports that “someone took it upon themselves to screw off the gate to her field at the Bluebanks, Kilmacrennan and also open another gate and released two other young horses in a nearby paddock onto the nearby N56 roadway where they, unfortunately, met with oncoming cars”.

The page, which was set up to inform others of crimes that have occurred in the county, has described this as a “shockingly cruel, calculated and despicable act”.

Confirming the news to That’s Farming, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána, said:

“Gardaí are investigating two road traffic collisions that occurred in the Cashelgay area of Kilmacrennan in the early hours of Monday morning. “

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“Two cars collided with two horses in this area. No injuries were reported by occupants of any vehicle. Both animals were fatally injured during the incidents.”

“Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this incident or any loose horses in this area between midnight and 4 am on Monday, May 24th 2021 to come forward.”

“In particular, any road users who may have camera footage (including dashcam) is asked to contact Milford Garda Station on 074 915 3060 and make this footage available to investigating Gardaí,” the spokesperson concluded.

Prison sentence and 5-year animal ban for man for horse neglect

This week, a male was convicted at Kilkenny District Court after Gardaí seized a “neglected” horse last September.

The individual was handed a 5-year equine ban and has received a 3-month prison sentence (suspended for 18 months).

Sergeants Burke and Goode stumbled across the animal whilst patrolling Kilkenny on Thursday, September 3rd. Subsequently, they seized the horse under Section 12 of the 2013 Animal Welfare Act.

In a post on social media at the time, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána Kilkenny/Carlow said:

“You can’t always get a horsebox when you need it, so our skippers walked her back to the station.”

“Arrangements were then made between the Local Authority and My Lovely Horse Rescue, and now Lydia (they named her) is starting a new life in greener pastures. A sincere thank you to all parties who made this possible.”

 

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