Sharp increase in animal welfare reports in Tipperary according to new statistics

​Animal welfare has become an increasing concern in Tipperary in recent months, with several shocking incidents sparking public outrage and prompting serious debate at both local and national Government level.

The primary incidents involved horses being used to drive sulkies and a major investigation which uncovered a significant cockfighting ring in south Tipperary. The most horrifying of the sulky incidents saw a horse killed in a traffic accident after colliding with two cars.

Information released to The Tipperary Star by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Freedom of Information Act has now revealed some intriguing statistics relating to animal welfare inspections and incidents within Tipperary. Notably, the total number of animal welfare inspections fell to 79 in 2025 from 161 inspections in 2024. However, the numbers appear to be on the rise again in 2026, with 66 inspections already having taken place this year. Animal welfare has become an increasing concern in Tipperary in recent months, with several shocking incidents sparking public outrage and prompting serious debate at both local and national Government level.

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A breakdown was provided indicating the inspections specifically carried out on bovine (cow), porcine (pig) and ovine (sheep) animal cases, while all other animals were grouped together. The figures for bovine incidents peaked in 2023 and 2024, with 48 and 45 incidents respectively. The situation appeared more under control in 2025, with only 22 incidents recorded, but the numbers are rising again with 16 incidents already reported so far in 2026.

Other figures for 2026 include 16 incidents involving pigs, three incidents involving sheep, and 26 incidents involving other animals at risk. All of these figures indicate a rise in animal welfare cases compared to the previous year. It remains unclear whether this represents more people reporting incidents or more thorough investigations. Perhaps the issue becoming so prominent in county and national debate has led to increased attention on the topic.

The issue was brought up at a recent full council meeting of Tipperary County Council, when councillors debated how to tackle the animal welfare issues that had seemingly become more prevalent across the county. The conversation ultimately ended with councillors agreeing to defer the matter to the relevant Strategic Policy Committees, but the outrage over the incidents was shared by all.

Most recently, the issue was raised by Dublin Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews during a Seanad debate, when he said:

“Clonmel seems to be a hotspot for these animal abuse cases by sulky racers.”

Clonmel Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn was present during the debate and responded to Senator Andrews’ comments:

“Senator Andrews spoke about sulky racing. He mentioned Clonmel and being from Clonmel I know it very well myself. This is a real scourge on a lot of areas. It has been an ongoing issue in Clonmel for many years. In relation to the horse that died this year, everyone locally knows who the people involved are. There is a feeling within communities that not enough is being done. We have invested quite a lot in recruiting more gardaí but an issue is a lot of the gardaí are going to Dublin as opposed to across the country and this needs to be discussed. I will ask the Minister for Justice to come in to discuss it. An animal care unit would be a good first step.”

In the past month organisers in Clonmel also held a protest calling for stronger action on animal welfare issues and stricter enforcement against those responsible for abuse cases.