Horse attack one of worst in 170-year history

The branch, which described February as another dark month in Ireland's growing equine crisis, outlined the gruesome scene it found at the Dunsink Landfill, in Finglas.

It also described an incident in which youths in a car hit a horse, and then drove into the animal again, breaking its leg.

"The Dublin SPCA witnessed one of the most distressing scenes in its 170 years," chief executive Jimmy Cahill said of the sight that greeted him Dunsink Landfill.

"A severely emaciated pony had been attacked by a pack of dogs who had then fed on the crippled and disabled animal for a period of time.

"The animal was still alive when Dublin SPCA officers arrived at the scene and was immediately euthanized."

"I have seen some things in my life but never anything as horrendous as what I've witnessed [here].

"The poor animal was savaged beyond belief. It's heartbreaking to think of the pain she must have been in and the only relief we could give her was to put her out of her misery.

"We also heard that a similar incident occurred a week earlier and the horse had died so it's a very worrying trend indeed."

On the same day, the Dublin SPCA had to put down an emaciated horse at Fonthill Road, Clondalkin. This was the seventh horse that had to be euthanized in this area.

In a separate incident on February 15, a red and white two-year-old female pony was knocked down at Cambler Bridge, Rathoath Road, Cabra, Dublin, around 1.15pm.

The pony was seen at the location with several youths and was knocked down by what witnesses described as a blue Toyota Avensis, of which only part of the registration was identified as 05D.

Witnesses saw the car, which was being driven by two male youths, hit the pony at the rear and then stop and drive into the pony a second time, breaking the animal's back leg, before speeding off in the direction of Cabra.

The critically injured pony was in severe pain and distress and had to be euthanised by SPCA officers who attended the scene with police.

No-one has claimed ownership of the animal.

"It seems she is just another unlicensed and unregulated pony who was being kept by inexperienced owners," Cahill said.

Inspector Tony McGovern, with the Dublin SPCA, said of the deliberate hitting of the horse: "This was a serious and malicious act of violence carried and it is very fortunate that no members of the public were injured in the incident.

"We are asking anyone who witnessed the accident and can identify the owners or drivers of the vehicle to contact Cabra Garda Station or the Dublin SPCA in confidence."

In addition, on February 16, the Dublin SPCA rescued five horses and ponies that were suffering from severe illness and starvation and brought them to the Dublin SPCA shelter in Rathfarnham for urgent veterinary treatment.

They were removed from Damonstown, at Blessington and Belcamp. They were assessed by Dublin SPCA veterinary team, but one of the horses has since died.

On February 22, the society responded to reports of more starving horses in Fonthill. Another emaciated horse was removed with the assistance of police and the fire brigade to its shelter in Rathfarnham.

Other emaciated horses were identified at the scene and the Dublin SPCA removed three more who are critically ill on February 25.

"There are now carcasses of 12 horses at the scene," Cahill said.

On February 26, Dublin SPCA inspectors removed another horse from Belcamp College. The animal was underweight and had wounds and is now under veterinary care.

Orla Aungier, operations manager for the society, spoke out about organisation's anger and distress over the a problem it had predicted for the northern hemisphere winter, fuelled by a glut of horses and the recession.

"What we have witnessed this month only serves to underline that the situation is far worse than what we predicted.

"These poor, innocent horses were subjected to barbaric treatment and suffered unimaginable pain as a result."

The SPCA says its cannot turn a blind eye to what is going on. However, there are serious financial repercussions to the rescue and care of these horses.

Every horse it takes in costs an average of €3000.

"We know that there are hundreds of horses in similar distress, as the only welfare group rescuing these horses in Dublin," Cahill says.

"Our finances are stretched to the limit. Our shelter is full and our staff is overwhelmed. We are urgently appealing to the public for financial assistance.

"We are working flat out to deal with the calls that are coming in from concerned members of the public about horses and ponies who have been left to die in fields, lots and the side of the road.

"We would ask anyone who has anything further to report in relation to these incidents to contact Dublin SPCA or the Gardaí [police].