Cllr Kavanagh seeking inquiry into the lack of out of hours animal rescue services
CALL FOR INQUIRY OVER LACK OF OUT OF HOURS ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES
A CALL has been made for an inquiry to be launched following the death of a neglected pony in Arklow for which no out of hours emergency services could be secured over the weekend.
The animal was first spotted last Tuesday wandering around a field off the Vale Road on the outskirts of the town with a hosepipe around her neck which had wounded her.
The wound had become infected and, in the days that followed, the pony’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
A local man and his family cared for the horse as much as possible while trying to get in touch with services that could tend to the animal.
According to Cllr Mary Kavanagh, from Thursday to Saturday, numerous attempts were made to get assistance from a range of sources – including animal welfare charities, the gardaí, Wicklow County Council and veterinary clinics between Arklow and Gorey – to no avail.
Cllr Mary McDonald, who lives nearby, was alerted to the case and sought the assistance of Cllr Kavanagh as she was away from Arklow at the time.
‘A vet we contacted told us that Wicklow County Council should be contacted as they are responsible for animal welfare issues. I sent an email on the Thursday which was not actioned and we explored all avenues to try and get the poor horse looked after,’ said Cllr Kavanagh.
Cllr Kavanagh said the animal was suffering for five days but then representatives from My Lovely Horse and Charlie’s Equine came to her aid, along with a vet.
Unfortunately the pony’s condition deteriorated rapidly and she was unable to stand.
The mare, who was named ‘Star’ by the charities, was diagnosed with tetanus, also known as lockjaw, and sepsis and, on Sunday, the decision was taken to put her down, as her condition would not improve.
‘I’m deeply ashamed of what passes for animal welfare in this country. If it wasn’t for animal rescue groups and volunteers the situation would be even worse,’ said Cllr Kavanagh.
‘What kind of society are we when we cannot care for the most vulnerable? This is simply unacceptable and I am calling for an inquiry into how a neglected animal could be left without any emergency care or rescue services for almost five days,’ she added.
Cllr Kavanagh has written to the Minister for Agriculture, the Minister for Housing (whose department is responsible for animal welfare), and the CEO and Arklow Municipal District manager at Wicklow County Council calling for an inquiry and the availability of out of hours emergency rescue and veterinary services.
‘We need to ensure that this never happens again,’ she said.
According to a Facebook post by My Lovely Horse, which serves the Leinster region, the charity has been ‘shaken to the core’ by Star’s case.
‘Out of hours help by the relevant agencies for animals in distress is virtually non-existent in this country after 5 p.m. and at weekends. Star was neglected during her life but we hope she knew she was surrounded by people who loved her at the end,’ it said.