Limerick Councillor Sarah Beasley, an animal rights advocate, has expressed deep distress after personally organizing the removal of two dead horses found abandoned in Limerick fields, highlighting ongoing animal cruelty issues in the area. She condemned the mistreatment and neglect by some horse owners, noting a troubling rise in cruelty cases and the strain on animal rescue charities. Beasley also revealed that ISPCA staff face threats and harassment while trying to protect animals, and lamented the absence of a dedicated ISPCA Inspector in Limerick for nearly seven years.

Despite her efforts, including a council motion for a dedicated Garda Unit to address animal welfare, Beasley encountered resistance due to resource constraints and jurisdictional issues, with responsibility falling between the Department of Agriculture and animal welfare organizations. She called for better protection of ISPCA Inspectors and stronger legal consequences for those who intimidate them, emphasizing the urgent need for a full-time inspector in Limerick to ensure animals receive proper care and protection.