Plea made for ban on use of sulkies on public roads after horse fatality on Tipperary road

Following the death of a horse that was pulling a sulky in Clonmel after a collision involving two cars the My Lovely Horse group has called for a ban on the use of sulkies on public roads.

“A living animal. sentient, sensitive and easily frightened lost its life in a situation it should never have been in.

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At approximately 9:50 am, on a busy public road, that horse was exposed to fast-moving traffic, noise, and pressure that no animal can reasonably be expected to cope with. When things go wrong in those situations they go wrong quickly and the consequences are devastating.

This time, the horse did not survive.

While it is a relief that no serious human injuries have been reported, the outcome for the animal was fatal. That reality cannot be minimised or normalised.

At My Lovely Horse Rescue, we see what lies behind incidents like this. Horses are not machines. They feel fear. They react instinctively. When placed in high-risk environments like public roads, they are the most vulnerable participant in every scenario,” said the statement.

“The use of sulkies on public roads creates conditions where control can be lost in an instant putting horses, drivers, and the public at risk. Despite this, enforcement of existing laws remains inconsistent, and meaningful consequences are rare,” stated My Lovely Horse.

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The group called for a ban on the use of sulkies on public roads, the establishment and proper resourcing of a dedicated Animal Crime Unit, enforcement of existing animal welfare and road safety laws, prosecutions where breaches occur and increased funding for animal welfare organisations working on the ground.