‘Abhorrent and distressing’ documentary exposes horrific horse abuse

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has vowed to take action following the airing of a shocking investigation into the equine industry last night.

RTÉ Investigates premiered part one of Horses: Making a Killing, which has since prompted responses from both Horse Racing Ireland and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue.

The harrowing documentary exposed scenes of animal abuse as RTÉ utilised hidden cameras to reveal the treatment. The second part of the documentary is set to air tonight on RTÉ One at 9.35pm Irish time.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Minister McConalogue condemned the treatment of animals as “unacceptable” and assured that “the full rigors of the law” will be enforced.

He went on: “The scenes we saw last night and the treatment of horses were abhorrent and distressing. Horses are beautiful, sensitive animals and it was absolutely unacceptable.”

Minister McConalogue also disclosed that an investigation is underway after receiving evidence. He added: “I can assure the public that this will be fully investigated and the full rigors of the law will be applied here.”

Horse Racing issued a statement in the wake of the broadcast saying they were “deeply shocked and appalled” by the investigation.

The authority added: “The criminal behaviour depicted in the RTÉ documentary is disgusting and is not the experience of the vast majority of the 30,000 people who make their livelihood in the horse racing and breeding industry in Ireland.

‘HRI has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstance and criminal and regulatory sanction must be imposed on anyone found to have behaved in an illegal way towards horses.

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“HRI will review the issues raised in the RTÉ documentary and will actively support any Department of Agriculture or Garda investigation.”

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