THE prolonged spell of hot, dry weather has meant an increase in workload for the My Lovely Horse Rescue group which has seen a spike in the number of equine cruelty cases in the capital. In the past two weeks, MLHR has rescued a young pony with horrific leg wounds in Bluebell, south city Dublin, while volunteers with the group have spent each hot evening carrying hundreds of litres by hand to horses in dry fields without access to water.

In another disturbing case, volunteers spent hours with a mare found collapsed at the side of the road in the Stocking Lane area of Rathfarnham, south Dublin, later euthanised on the spot by a veterinary surgeon after being diagnosed with spinal damage. Kilmainham Gardaí were contacted in the rescue of Harvey, a young pony, from the Grand Canal area of Inchicore, Bluebell, found with extensive open leg wounds as well as a head wound.

A veterinary surgeon diagnosed Harvey with ragwort poisoning, producing open wounds on all four of the pony’s legs. He was also found to have some damage to his spine. Around the same time, Dublin City Council’s horse pound contractor seized another pony of the Grand Canal, noted to be a sick condition with pus from neck wounds and having difficulty standing. The pony is suspected to have been suffering from strangles.

WATER DROPS

Water is being dropped off to horses and ponies by MLHR volunteers in Clondalkin, Clarehall, Finglas, Ballyfermot, Islandbridge, Inchicore, North Circular Road, Bluebell, O’Devaney Gardens and Swords.

Members of the public are joining in these water runs.

MLHR has advised people coming across horses needing help to take a photo, make a video, record the time and location of the incident and call the Department of Agriculture animal welfare hotline, Call Save 0761 064408/Phone: 01 6072379 or email animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.

Also contact the DSPCA: 01- 499 4700 (Dublin) or the ISPCA for outside Dublin 1890 515 515/043 33 25035/info@ispca.ie and the local Garda station to report the incident/leave a message.

Also contact My Lovely Horse Rescue by emailing info@mylovelyhorserescue.com.