An animal charity, My Lovely Horse Rescue, is calling for an urgent review of animal welfare standards in Ireland following the discovery of a dead horse in Tolka Park, Dublin. The horse was found in a distressing position, prompting the charity to label the incident as “Ireland’s shame.” They criticized the lack of resources from local authorities and the Gardaí to address such cases, highlighting the trauma inflicted on the community, especially children who witnessed the scene.

The charity argues that the current system for managing horses in urban areas is failing, pointing to the absence of a dedicated animal welfare unit and inadequate responses to neglect and abuse. They noted that around 90 horses are left neglected on a nearby landfill site, emphasizing that without urgent reform, both animals and the public remain at risk.

Current legislation, including the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and the Control of Horses Act 1996, aims to protect horse welfare but is not effectively enforced. The charity calls for immediate action from the government to address these systemic failures and improve the welfare of horses in Ireland.