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Two horses — one six months pregnant — have died after being shot in Ireland.
The horses were discovered in Glenanaar, Ardpatrick, Killmallock, on the Cork/Limerick county border last week.
The ISPCA is appealing for information, as neither horse was microchipped and the owner has not been found.
“This is a horrendous situation,” said the ISCPA’s Inspector O’Donovan.
When ISPCA inspectors arrived they found a dead horse lying on the side of the road. Another mare was running loose, in what the organisation describes as a “frantic state”. That horse was uninjured.
A third mare was discovered in a nearby field, “unable to stand and bleeding profusely from a wound on her side”.
The mare had been pregnant and had aborted the foal she had been carrying. She was treated by a vet at the scene, but died due to her injuries.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
A veterinary examination revealed that both dead horses had been shot, both suffering a single puncture wound to their right side.
“It was horrific to find the mare in such distress and fighting for her life. We can now confirm that she was six months pregnant,” added Inspector O’Donovan.
“It is unimaginable to consider what she had gone through in this remote setting. Thankfully the mare that we removed is safe in our care and getting the best possible attention”.
The ISPCA’s chief Inspector Conor Dowling added: “At this point in time we do not know how the horses came to be in this position. None are identifiable as they were not microchipped.
“Whatever the circumstances, these animals endured the most terrible suffering. We appeal to anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or Killmallock Garda Station.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.