‘We need something done now’ – Major protest planned over horrific horse abuse

A PROTEST will go ahead on Saturday morning following a horror RTE documentary exposing the abuse horses in Ireland are suffering.

The documentary details the dark secrets of the equine industry, particularly race horses after they have stopped racing.

The RTE Investigates documentary on Wednesday night was titled ‘RTE Investigates: Horses – Making a Killing.’

Describing the documentary RTE say: “RTE Investigates goes deep inside the equine industry to show what happens to horses after they leave the spotlight.”

In distressing scenes the documentary details how some owners have profited off changing horses identities, flogging them to international traders or attempting to get unfit for consumption horses into the human food chain.

There are also shocking scenes of animal abuse caught on camera.

The protest over the horrific incident is set to take place at 11am outside the Shannon Side Foods LTD in Straffan, Co Kildare.

The protest is being held by the My Lovely Horse Foundation, who are hoping to have the situation publicised and raise further awareness.

As said in the documentary, this is the only slaughter house currently operating in the country.

Martin Laffan, who is on the MLHF board, has lived next to the slaughter house for years and has always known there was suspicious activity.

Locals have allegedly reported these incidents over the years but have not made progress from it.

He told The Irish Sun: “I lived near the slaughter house for years so I’ve heard and seen evidence of suspicious activity there.

“The locals are disgusted and frustrated at how many years this company has gotten away with such horrific cruelty to these animals.

“We have tried to get answers from government officials but we’ve been ignored.

“We need something done about this now before anymore horses must go through such barbaric treatment on their last days of life.”

The documentary outlines how the amount of horses abandoned in Ireland each year is indicative that correct licensing laws are not being followed.

By law a horse must have an equine (horse) passport, which is valid for the horse’s lifetime, a microchip implant which links the animal to the passport and a Unique Equine Life Number.

There is also a problem with around 20,000 horses “disappearing” each year in suspected criminal activity including attempting to get them into the human food chain.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland Charlie McConalogue and his department said they are taking the matter “very seriously.”

The Minster confirmed the department had launched an investigation in previous weeks into supply of equines for slaughter.

In a statement in response to the documentary, he said: “I have watched the RTE Investigates programme, which included some distressing images.

“I am taking this matter extremely seriously. My Department has already commenced an investigation in recent weeks involving the supply of equines for slaughter, with aspects of the ongoing investigation related to some of the broadcast activities.

“Any new allegations or evidence of malpractice or allegations of illegal activity in the equine industry that this programme has brought to light will be thoroughly investigated by my Department.”