LATEST official figures show a massive drop in the number of horses being slaughtered for the food chain from 2012 to 2017 in approved abbatoirs.

In 2012, the high number of 24,362 horses were slaughtered for human consumption at Department-approved slaughter establishments but latest figures for 2017 (up to November 30th) show that number has plunged to 7,260.

However, in almost the same time frame (2014-2017), over 9,000 horses and ponies, seized nationwide under the Control of Horses Act were euthanised after being left unclaimed by owners.

The official horse slaughter figures were obtained by The Irish Field from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Irish Field also gathered the figures since 2014 for horses and ponies seized by local authorities under the Control of Horses Act.

EUTHANISED

Shockingly, 9,059 seized horses and ponies have been euthanised nationally in the last four years after very few were reclaimed from local authorities by owners.

Commenting, a Department spokesperson said that the number of horses seized nationally under the Control of Horses Act continues to drop.

“From 2014 to 2017, the numbers seized reduced from 4,923 to 1,177 (Jan – Sept) respectively. This decreasing number is reflective of a number of factors, including animal welfare initiatives being progressed by the Department. An example of one such initiative is the Department’s support for Local Authorities in the development of urban/traveller horse projects in a number of counties throughout the country. This measure has brought greater awareness to horse owners on the positives to be gained from compliance with equine related legislation such as identification, premises registration and control of horses. Engagement with these projects has also assisted young urban/traveller horse owners in acquiring vital skills in relation to caring and managing for their horses.

“The Department continues to engage in active enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and the EU Equine Identification Regulations, which has resulted in the removal of a number of abandoned, welfare compromised and unidentified horses throughout the country. Animal welfare charities have also played an important part in the reduction of stray animals by re-homing an increasing number of horses abroad,” added the Department spokesperson.

Horses

slaughtered

for food chain

Year Horses

2012 24,362

2013 10,711

2014 7,602

2015 6,033

2016 7,618

2017 7,260*

(*up to 30/11/17)

WELFARE UPDATE

In an update to last week’s equine welfare horror at Knocklofty, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, where seven horses were found starved to death on lands at a disused hotel, the remaining 14 horses were taken to Cork Pound. However Clonmel Mayor Catherine Carey (SF) along with the Action for Animal Welfare Ireland (AAWI) group has now found homes for them.

On the eve of a AAWI committee meeting in Fethard on Thursday on equine welfare, attended by county councillors, another dead horse was found at Suir Island, Clonmel, by walkers. Another emaciated pony was found on the Cahir Road, Clonmel, on Christmas Eve and was euthanised on St Stephen’s Day. AAWI will be hosting a public meeting on equine welfare at a future date.

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath (Ind) said that more must be done to protect equines in Ireland.

“Earlier this year, I highlighted through Parliamentary Questions, the fact that thousands of horses in this State have been routinely maltreated over the course of the last number of years. I was shocked but not surprised at the time to see that of the 129 horses seized in Tipperary in 2016 alone, only three were reclaimed by their owners while just four were rehomed. The other 122 horses were put down.

“This simply cannot be allowed to continue. There are clear and obvious violations of animal welfare regulations occurring and that must be addressed without fearing that offence will be given to some,” said Deputy McGrath.

“The abuse and neglect that these unfortunate animals have suffered is absolutely appalling. Everyone is only too aware that this problem is particularly linked with certain communities and for whom there appears to be little or no meaningful statutory sanctions available,” said Deputy McGrath.

Adding that it was a nationwide problem, the TD concluded: “While the vast majority of people in Tipperary provide very high standards of care to their horses, the problem of cruelty and maltreatment remains acute among some groups and that needs to be tackled in a far more robust manner than it has been to date.”