Operations at Shannonside Foods, addressed as the core site of a scrutiny surrounding the abusive treatment of horses, have been halted by the Department of Agriculture. Over the latest three-week period, none of the animals slaughtered at this location have entered the food supply, the department confirmed. Furthermore, all equine carcasses that arrived at the plant in the past week have been held back.
An investigative program by RTÉ made use of hidden cameras last Wednesday, capturing footage of the onsite animal welfare officer implanting counterfeit identity microchips in horses and modifying their colour markings using spray paint. Detailed abuse instances involved maltreatment of dying horses, showing scenes of animals being whipped and struck by long plastic pipes.
Recently, the Department of Agriculture initiated an inquiry into the equine supply for slaughter. Subsequently, in late May, a legal notice was issued by the department restricting Shannonside Foods from accessing or admitting horses to the neighbouring holding grounds, which was the setting for much of the distressing recording.
Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, voiced his condemnation for the appalling animal abuse and alleged illegality observed on the RTÉ Prime Time Investigates program that aired this week. He added that the active research is fully supported by An Garda Síochána and affirms that no stone will be left unturned and that the full strength of the law would be used as needed.
Simultaneously, on Saturday morning, demonstrators assembled outside the premises of Shannonside Foods, located in Straffan, Co Kildare. Maddie Doyle, a long term volunteer at the My Lovely Horse Rescue charity, impelled people to tie ribbons on the gates of the facility as a remembrance of the abused horses.
Maddie expressed her shock and distress at the heinous incidents that have happened at Shannonside Foods, describing them as terrible and unimaginable. She commented that they have come across some of the worst breaches of animal welfare.
There’s been an overwhelming response from the public who either watched the documentary or read about it, many felt too disturbed to watch it though,” mentioned Miss Doyle, encouraged by the large crowd that gathered for the protest.
Prompt action from authorities is what’s needed, argues Martina Kenny, co-founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue. She expressed that the entire nation is in dismay about the situation at hand.
Queries for a response have been sent to the owners of the establishment, Shannonside Food Ltd, which holds the distinction of being the sole certified horse abattoir in Ireland.
Investigations regarding the practices followed at this site have been kicked off by The Department of Agriculture and An Garda Siochana.
The documentary’s content has shocked and horrified everyone at Horse Racing Ireland, the organisation responsible for overseeing horse racing, inclusive of its board, management, and staff. They labelled the actions shown in the RTÉ documentary as revolting. Their issued statement clarified that such behaviour is not representative of the majority of the 30,000 people earning a living out of the horse racing and breeding industry in Ireland.