An investigation is underway into the reported beating to death of a three-week old foal in Galway with a group of youths subsequently setting the carcass alight. It’s understood that the foal’s dam suffered injuries in the same attack but has been moved to an unknown location.

A reward for information may be offered in the disturbing case to help bring those responsible to justice amid a public outcry over the horrible incident.

The Galway Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) is appealing to people in the Castlepark estate to come forward with any information they may have.

The sickening attack took place in a field near Merlin Woods last weekend. The GSPCA was supplied with tip-off photographs showing a gang attacking the helpless foal, while others held back the mare. Photographs of the foal’s burnt remains were published online.

Meanwhile the ISPCA has called for an immediate ban on sulky driving on public roads following the death of a young horse involved in a road traffic accident.

The accident occurred last Sunday week along the Kilkenny to Waterford Road when a young sulky horse broke free from its cart and collided with an oncoming car.

Shaken

The shaken driver escaped uninjured but the horse suffered terrible injuries and was euthanised at the scene by a veterinary surgeon. The motorist’s car was damaged but the driver of the cart fled the scene.

An ISPCA spokesperson said the charity was both “angered and saddened’’ to hear of yet another sulky horse road traffic accident.

CEO of the ISPCA, Dr Andrew Kelly, said that the use of sulkies on public road should be banned.

“How many road traffic accidents and how many dead horses does there need to be before this practice is outlawed?” he asked.

The incident took place less than 24 hours after this newspaper highlighted the public safety issue caused by reckless sulky drivers. That followed the abandonment of a sulky horse by its young driver after the unfortunate animal crashed into a timber fence in Tipperary town.

ISPCA chairperson Barbara Bent described the incident as “an accident just waiting to happen’’, adding that the charity had been inundated with complaints from the public and tourists alike over sulky driving.