'Appalled' ISPCA demands justice for abused Irish racehorses slaughtered for meat

An animal rights group has condemned the treatment of Irish horses in a recent RTÉ Investigates documentary as morally and legally "unacceptable". 

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) stated they were "appalled" after 'Horses - Making a Killing' aired on Irish television last week. 

The investigation prompted the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to immediately suspend the license of Ireland's only licensed horse abattoir, Shannonside Foods Ltd, Co Kildare. 

Hidden RTÉ cameras at the site - which slaughters horses for human consumption - captured horses being repeatedly hit, punched around the head and whipped. 

By analysing data, RTÉ journalists also discovered that two thirds of the horses that had passed through Shannonside Foods Ltd were thoroughbred racers who had raced over 3,000 times between them and earned their owners more than €1.5 million. 

Outrage at the treatment of the horses was immediate across social media, with calls for immediate consequences. 

According to the Journal, most Irish horse meat is exported to other countries in Europe. 

The DAFM has since conducted an investigation, which the ISPCA hopes will be "robust" with steps taken "to ensure that such behaviour does not go undetected again". 

In a statement, an ISPCA spokesperson said, "The slaughter of horses can be a particularly emotive issue for some, but the slaughter of all species represents a significant animal welfare risk and requires proactive management. Animals destined for slaughter, regardless of species, should be entitled to humane handling throughout transport, lairage, and through the slaughter process.

"The manner in which Irish horses were treated in the programme was absolutely unacceptable, both morally and legally. There should be consequences for those involved to show that such ill-treatment of animals will not be tolerated." 

The ISPCA’s CEO, Dr Cyril Sullivan, will look to meet with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine this week to clarify if any more horses are at risk at the site or in need of rescue, and to urge him to urgently review live exports generally. 

The animal welfare group is opposed to the live export of all animals for slaughter and advocates that humane slaughter be undertaken as near as possible to the place of rearing or residence. 

Their statement concludes: "This programme follows on from another expose by RTE Investigates broadcast in 2023, which revealed how vulnerable Irish calves were treated during transport.

"The ISPCA believes that the treatment of Irish animals shown in both programmes, both in Ireland and during transport abroad, is damaging to the reputation of the Irish farming industry, and the reputation of the country generally."