THE Leitrim Animal Welfare Service were last week involved in another harrowing rescue operation at forest lands near Annadale, Co Leitrim, where one horse was euthanized after being trapped in a bog.

Close to 30 live horses and donkeys have been abandoned in Drumcong Forest over the past year, the welfare service confirmed.

“They appear to be left to fend for themselves, sometimes with injuries and illness, with no food or water in a barren landscape.

“There are also a high volume of bones and equine skulls in the area, indicating that this has been a dumping ground for some time,” a statement said.

“Last Thursday, January 23rd, with the help of ISPCA Inspector Karen Lyons, the Leitrim Animal Warden Service and the Sathya Sai Sanctuary Trust for Nature from Sligo, a joined-up operation to remove the horses from the site was carried out.

“On this day, two horses were seized under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and removed from the site to a place of safety. Another horse was also discovered but trapped, elbow deep, in a bog.

“After a determined and concerted effort, the horse was freed from the bog, but it was too weak and malnourished to recover and stand up. With a heavy heart, the decision was made to euthanise the animal and end its ongoing suffering.

“Another horse had also been pulled from the bog in this area in November 2019 and thankfully is currently in the process of making a full recovery. On that same day, a horse carcass was also found recently deceased in a ditch.”

Asked by The Irish Field if all horses have now been removed from the lands, the Leitrim Animal Welfare Service said: “As far as we are aware, yes. But it is quite a large area so we cannot say for certain.”

An investigation into the matter is underway, with anyone with information urged to come forward and speak to Gardaí, the Leitrim Animal Welfare Service or the ISPCA.