An investigation has been launched after a young horse was discovered dying in a Dungannon field and another was located already dead close by.
A large-scale community effort was prompted on Wednesday evening (March 11) after a concerned member of the public shared an image of a very young horse laying on its side, in clear distress on social media.
The individual called for immediate assistance from anyone in the vicinity of Cookstown Road to help find the animal and bring medical support. The plea gained an overwhelming response from the public.
Several local people gathered on site, provided blankets to keep the yearling warm and a vet was called to attend.
Speaking to Armagh I, one woman who attended the “heart-breaking” scene said the foal – which she suspected to be less than two years old based on its teeth – was having repeated seizures.
She described the field as “mud up to your knees” and said there was no way to stabilise the horse on its feet or remove it from the field without considerable difficulty.
According to My Lovely Horse Rescue, an Irish equine welfare charity who’s attention was caught by the incident, the attending vet sadly had no option but to put the suffering animal to sleep.
Providing an update at around 10pm that evening the rescue said: “We can’t thank all the people who rushed to be by the side of this poor baby tonight in Dungannon.
“They called him Cookie, he was put to sleep a short time ago. Free of pain and cruelty. Surrounded by humans that cared, that cried for him.”
The charity explained the field was “just muck and swamps” and said that when police attended they also found the “mother of the poor yearling” dead close by.
Said the rescue: “Both no doubt had been struggling for days, mum died a few days ago. This is beyond sad and so cruel. This country is shameful… animal abusers getting away with MURDER. RIP Cookie and your sweet mum…we are so sorry.”
On scene there was some discussion about whether or not the animals may have been “dumped” in the field.
Mid Ulster Council confirmed that Animal Welfare has received a report regarding one horse dying in the Dungannon area and that there is an “open and active investigation”.
The USPCA have also been contacted for comment.
