A GALWAY local radio presenter says she has been “overwhelmed” by the generosity of farmers in the west who have responded to her appeals to feed dozens of starving horses.
However, Valerie Hughes says she believes that horses are being transported from other parts of the county to Connemara, where they are then abandoned in isolated bog and mountainous areas.
Current weather conditions are making it almost “impossible” to gain access to the animals in some locations, she says.
Hughes, a presenter on Galway Bay FM, decided to initiate her own response when she witnessed the animals’ suffering while on her journey to and from work along the Headford Road.
A recent inspection of Headford Road lands by a field officer with the Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found carcasses of a mare and foal, and two horses that were too weak to eat.
Another horse was trapped in a drain, and a farmer with a tractor had to assist in rescuing it.
“Farmers responded by donating bales of hay and silage, from all over the county,” she said.
“It has been overwhelming. One farmer in Headford rang around all his friends and neighbours.”
“A lot of the horses belong to the Travelling community, but I’m not interested in pointing the finger or apportioning blame,” Hughes said.
“I just want to make sure the horses are fed, and once that was made clear, members of the community were very happy to assist us,” she said.
“There’s absolutely no grass for these animals, temperatures are sub-zero, they do not have access to water and they then get to the point where they cannot even feed if given hay or silage.
“It is heartbreaking to watch,” she added.
Animal shelters are full, she pointed out.
It is understood that abattoirs have waiting lists of applications to dispose of horses, but some owners are unwilling or unable to pay the fees charged.
Earlier this month, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals described as “desperate” the situation involving hungry and neglected horses in all parts of the State.
The organisation said that distress calls then were running at almost 14,000, compared to under 10,000 last year – with people either unable to feed their own animals, or reporting cases of animals in distress.
Hughes said she would continue her response over the Christmas period, and has appealed for volunteers who may have some time, or may have food to offer.
