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'Sheer neglect': ISPCA investigating donkey found with 'horrific head injuries'

Meanwhile, Action For Animal Welfare Ireland has posted images of a severely neglected horse on its Facebook page.

THE ISCPA HAS launched an investigation into a donkey who was severely injured as a result of an embedded head collar in the South Hill area of Limerick City.

Upon inspection, the donkey was found to have a rope head collar severely embedded on the donkey’s nose, chin and poll area.

Donkey rescued with horrific head injuries caused by a rope head Donkey rescued with horrific head injuries caused by a rope head ISPCA ISPCA

Inspector Emma Carroll immediately called for help and the donkey was removed into the care of the ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre, where he received urgent veterinary treatment.

The donkey was later transported to the Donkey Sanctuary.

“The smell of infection from the donkey’s face was so overpowering and he was visibly distressed,” Carroll said.

The donkey was not microchipped and the ISPCA is appealing to the public for information in relation to its origin.

“This is an injury caused by sheer neglect, lack of observation and care on an owner’s behalf,” Carroll said.

“There is absolutely no excuse for the pain and suffering caused to this defenceless animal. It is paramount owners check the welfare of their animals daily. It is also a stark reminder why rope should never be used to make head collars,” she said.

Meanwhile, Action For Animal Welfare Ireland has posted images of a severely neglected horse on its Facebook page.

A member of the public found the horse in its neglected state, in Knocklofty, Clonmel, Tipperary yesterday.

The horse was pictured with empty eye sockets and its rib cages on show.

“Who is responsible for these poor animals? I have tried to find out to no avail, someone knows,” the post read.

“It’s a heartbreaking sight and I know I cannot stand by and do nothing.”

Last year, 16,312 calls were made to the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline, resulting in over 3,200 investigations. 995 animals were seized or surrendered.

If you suspect an animal being cruelly treated, neglected or abused, or if you seen something suspicious, the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline can be contacted in confidence on 1890 515 515 or online here.

In case of an emergency, the ISPCA has recommended the public contact gardaí.

Read: From now on, bags of Tayto will feature the flavour as Gaeilge

More: ‘It’s Belfast or go blind’: Bus of elderly head on eight-hour journey up North for cataract surgery

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31 Comments
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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:39 PM

    Unless the politicians actually work on proper legislation for long sentences for people who neglect animals, this will continue. I had to contact the local animal welfare office on multiple occasions because a horse was left with a jacket on, tied up in a field with no access to drinking water. This was during a heatwave.

    Unless you have stables and actually OWN the land, your horses/ponies should be confiscated from you immediately. No questions asked. Animal welfare should be a priority. Sadly it isn’t.

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    Mute Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
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    Dec 19th 2017, 12:42 AM

    @Seán Ó Briain: Not all of us who have horses have land , which is why we have to register where our animal is kept, ensure they are chipped and have passports .

    33
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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Dec 19th 2017, 2:51 AM

    @Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: “Not all of us who have horses have land , which is why we have to register where our animal is kept, ensure they are chipped and have passports .”

    If you don’t own land, you can always put them in private stables like everyone else does. If you can’t do that, you shouldn’t own a horse.

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    Mute Remy
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    Dec 19th 2017, 9:51 AM

    @Seán Ó Briain:

    They are too busy as they are on hols

    10
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    Mute Martin Flood
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:49 PM

    Donkeys are the sweetest, most docile animals around. Some humans on the other hand… good work by the the ISPCA.

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    Mute Franklin Roosevelt
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:42 PM

    Mandatory sentences.

    If they cause the death of an innocent animal, they should get a sentence equal to the length of that animal’s lifespan.

    So 15 years or so for a dog.

    Although considering I love burgers… I should probably be jailed for life for all the cows I’ve eaten

    107
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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:18 PM

    @Franklin Roosevelt:
    Better not kill a giant tortoise then….

    35
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    Mute John003
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:49 PM

    An animal is a responsibility which requires money and skill to look after….The horses in the background should also be confiscated from this field in Southhill….Motorbikes would be much more suitable for these young people….Council.should take away the animals and replace then with motorbikes.

    59
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    Mute John Considine
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    Dec 19th 2017, 8:55 AM

    @John003: I’d give my ass for a Harley Davidson, eh?

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    Mute Coner Willis
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:37 PM

    I’m shocked. The people of Southill are known animal lovers. Very unlike them.

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    Mute SteveÓ
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:55 PM

    @Coner Willis: don’t paint them all with the same brush

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    Mute Helen Griffin Davis
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    Dec 19th 2017, 12:19 AM

    @Coner Willis: it was in county Limerick. Shanagolden I believe.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Dec 19th 2017, 7:30 AM

    @Helen Griffin Davis: The article says South Hill.

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    Mute gregory
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:14 PM

    Dear Leo, please impose laws mandating traceable registered ownership of horses and donkeys and mules, and severe penalties for the registered owner of the said animal. Micro-chip required. Thank you and happy Christmas.

    52
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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:17 PM

    @gregory: Those laws are already there, they simply aren’t enforced.

    49
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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Dec 19th 2017, 8:25 AM

    @Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: Because there is no money in it for Pathcal.

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    Mute Stonerpug
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:52 PM

    So sad. Honestly cannot understand how some truly cannot love animals. Look into their eyes and we’re not so different..unless if its a snake or croc of course!

    51
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    Mute gregory
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:10 PM

    Shame on our Government for not imposing severe laws on this, and monitoring. Looks like FG doesn’t care. Shame on all of us. Disgusting.

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    Mute Sean
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    Dec 18th 2017, 10:56 PM

    Looking at the donkeys feet in the picture you can see that the hooves are trimmed. They grow out like clowns feet very quickly and this results in laminitis. This would suggest the donkey was being looked after until quite recently.

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    Mute Brian Jones
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:04 PM

    I would hate to think what is going on in Yemen at the moment but i doubt donkey neglect is a top priority.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:15 PM

    @Brian Jones: Well done on making absolutely no sense whatsoever!

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    Mute Brian Jones
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    Dec 19th 2017, 2:10 AM

    @Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: The amount of kids repeating there childish stuff on the journal kinda sums up how pathetic the journal is these days

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Dec 19th 2017, 7:31 AM

    @Brian Jones: Again, no sense whatsoever..bravo!

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    Mute Brian Jones
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:02 PM

    Donkey neglect. You have to love it. Go the journal

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    Mute gregory
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    Dec 19th 2017, 12:12 AM

    @Brian Jones: Its animal cruelty and damn right highlighted by journal.ie Ireland is a joke in this regard, wholly unacceptable in 2017. How would you like to be tortured? We are a disgusting nation for allowing this to happen on our watch.

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    Mute Brendan McLaughlin
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    Dec 18th 2017, 11:16 PM

    They say he was caught by 2 thoroughbreds whose grass he’d been stealing!

    1
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