Urban horses are dying because of a fodder shortage which has seen the price of a bale of hay go as high as £5 in Dublin.
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) says horses are being left to die because of the price of fodder and their owners' reluctance to pay £10 for a medicine which would rid their horses of redworm.
The society recently took seven dead horses from a site in the west of Dublin. It found another two horses who were so feeble they were unable to stand up. The society had to put down the animals.
More than 50 animals in all were found at the site, between the North Lock in Clondalkin and Newcastle, in a "raid" at 5 a.m. on Thursday.
South Dublin County Council impounded 42 and called out the DSPCA to deal with the dead and dying animals. All were suffering from malnutrition or redworm.
Mr Maurice Byrne of the DSPCA said it was evident from the marks on the body of one young foal that it had "been thrashing around in a ditch for a day or so" before it died.
Mr Byrne said that, legally, land-owners had a responsibility for animals on their lands, even if they did not own the animals.
"It's a case of land-owners beware, because ultimately they can be prosecuted if animals are found dead on their land due to mistreatment. If they see animals on their land in poor condition they should either phone us or make an effort to contact the owners."
One of the animals found on the site was microtagged, but the registered owner claimed he had sold the animal since registering it.
Mr Byrne said owners have an obligation to change the name on the horse's licence if they transfer ownership to someone else. The society said it is now common for owners not to claim impounded animals.
He said he expects the price of fodder to increase by another £2 in the next month and adds that it could climb as high as £8. He said Thursday's find was "only the start" and has called for stricter enforcement of the Control of Horses Act and financial support for projects involving horses.
