Horse beaten by sulkie driver for being frightened

national | animal rights | press release Friday May 28, 2010 23:35 by bernie wright - Alliance for animal rights[AFAR] PO box 4734.Dublin.1 0872651720

Speak up against animal abuse violations

26-5-2010 .
Yesterday at 6.40pm a thin black horse was subjected to a continuous beating by a Sulkie or harness racing driver in Tallaght, Dublin 24 .

The horse which was pulling a two wheeled cart was beaten repeatedly by the driver who was accompanied by a youth. The incident happened opposite the Cukoo’s Nest Pub and all traffic was stopped both ways as the horse reared up on his back legs with fright. He was wide-eyed and not wearing blinkers. He was hit repeatedly with straps or reins by the driver.

Sulkie horse beaten

The horse and cart was pulled roughly across the road to the Itinerant site while the horse continued to be hit. Concerned callers relayed the story to us with some contacting Gardai while stopped in traffic during the disturbance. This is not the first incidence involving Sulkies and horses that we have been made aware of. Sulkie carts or harness carts are seen every day going at full speed on our roads. The horses are usually pushed beyond their capability, the horses are usually young , blinkered and frightened by the traffic.

I rang Tallaght Gardai this morning and no record of the report or any action on this matter could be found. I do realise the Guards are extremely busy but this is all the more reason to have one Guard in each station allocated to animal related issues. We must press for this. Injustices towards animals are happening every day of the week. There is limited legislation in place but prosecutions are almost impossible to get unless people take a stand and make written complaints on behalf of the abused animals. If you see a person being abusive use your phone to photograph the incident, take registration numbers etc.

AFAR spokesperson says ‘people who use and abuse animals are acting with impunity ,and for good reason. We need stronger protection for those who cannot protect themselves. Those of us who care have to do more, to speak up and insist on justice’.
We ask people to contact their TDs and press for the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill Legislation to be enforced.

• The Alliance for Animal Rights is opposed to the operation of horse-drawn carriages, sulkies (two-wheeled vehicles) and pony carts in urban areas. The health risks to the horses are too severe. These include leg-damaging work on hard, paved streets, the very real threat of collisions with motorised vehicles, and severe stress. www.afarireland.org
• Sign our petition and forward to all your friends. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/horsedrawnvehicleban