Horse welfare incident in Tipperary sparks local outrage and Gardaí intervention
Local councillors and Gardaí were quick to resolve the issue
A horse found with what appeared to be a modified traffic cone secured around its muzzle in Cashel sparked widespread public outrage over the weekend, prompting Garda intervention and renewed calls for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws.
The incident came to light after animal welfare charity ‘My Lovely Horse Rescue shared’ a video on social media showing the horse near a roundabout on the R692 in Cashel. The charity claimed the device had been fitted to prevent the horse from grazing and alleged it also prevented the animal from accessing water.
Local councillors Liam Browne and Michael 'Chicken' Brennan were among those who responded to the incident. Less than 30 minutes after the video was published, Cllr Browne said he had contacted Gardaí regarding the matter.
Later that afternoon, he confirmed on social media that the issue had been addressed.
“Sincere thanks to local Gardai who sorted the matter out.
“Thanks also to those who highlighted the issue. Animal abuse is never, ever acceptable.”
Speaking to Tipperary Live, Cllr Browne said the incident highlighted wider shortcomings in the way horse welfare issues are dealt with.
“The reality is that it's very complicated because responsibility for horse welfare is split across different departments,” he said.
“If a horse is on a footpath, it's the local authority's problem. If it's on the road, it's a Garda matter. If it’s in a field, it's the Department of Agriculture. So it’s often difficult to establish who has responsibility at any given time.”
He said councillors had recently received an indication from Tipperary County Council that additional resources would be allocated towards animal welfare over the next 12 months, but argued that responsibility is currently too fragmented.
“We have received an outline of support from the council that more money will be put into animal welfare over the next 12 months. However, the council also says that much of what we're trying to do should already be covered by other agencies.
“The case has to be made for all of those agencies to sit down together, because somebody has to take responsibility.
“Frankly, myself and many others are absolutely sickened by what we've been seeing over the last 30 years. I think we have to start calling it out openly and honestly from now on.”
Cllr Browne also raised concerns about compliance with existing legislation governing horse ownership and identification.
“There are animals around different parts of town where owners are not complying with the law," he said.
“They’re not following the rules regarding equine identification numbers, and they’re not complying with the requirements around having sufficient land to keep horses.
”I’ve spoken to members of the travelling community who have said that because they don’t own land, they can’t get equine numbers. I don't think that's an acceptable excuse.
“If you don't have the proper paperwork or the proper land, then you shouldn’t have horses. To me, saying you can't get an equine number because you don't own land is effectively admitting that you don't have the facilities to look after them.”
He said he believed everyone should be subject to the same legal obligations.
“I want complete equality for the travelling community, but complete equality means abiding by the same laws as everybody else. That's what real equality is.”
Turning back to the incident itself, Cllr Browne said the use of a traffic cone on the horse could not be justified.
“It’s also not acceptable to see horses being ridden up and down roads by fully grown adults, sometimes with children on them.
“That’s what consistently happens. A complaint is made, the horses disappear for a few days, and once attention dies down, everything returns to how it was before.
“We shouldn't allow it to die down. We should solve the problem once and for all.
“If that means sitting down with members of the travelling community and the council to discuss leasing or renting council land, then fine, but that must come with proper welfare inspections, registration and ongoing care of the animals.”
Cllr Browne said he frequently hears members of the travelling community speak about the cultural importance of horses, but argued that proper welfare standards must accompany that tradition.
“I constantly hear people speaking on behalf of the travelling community talk about their love of horses and how important horses are to their culture.
“A proper grazing muzzle costs less than €40.
“There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for putting a traffic cone on a horse’s head.
“A proper grazing muzzle allows a horse to drink. This device did not. The horse had no opportunity to drink water, and it was a very warm day.
“To me, that is animal abuse, and it should be called exactly what it is.”
Pavee Point have been contacted for comment on the incident but at the time of publication had not responded.