€20 Spancilhill pony abused by children

A PONY sold for just €20 at Spancilhill was subsequently ridden and beaten by a group of children in an estate in Ennis.

Clare dog warden, Frankie Coote, has criticised those who sell animals to children after he was called to attend the pony. Although it is illegal to sell any kind of animal to children, Mr Coote said it is a practice that goes on, in particular, at fairs and markets.

He is also aware of smaller animals, such as ducks and chickens, being sold at fairs to children. He was shocked to learn the pony had been sold for €20 to the children.

“There are people out there selling animals, such as chickens, horses and dogs to children. It’s totally illegal and obviously irresponsible. It happens at any market or fair. People don’t care once they get money and it’s wrong,” Mr Coote said.

“Last week there was a pony up in Cloughleigh. The gardaí rang me to say they had seen a pony on CCTV being beaten by young lads and over-ridden and abused basically.

“I went down and we got the animal off them. They only had it for a day. They bought it the day before at Spancilhill for €20.

“I would have to say Spancilhill Fair are very alert on animal welfare and cruelty but a lot of stuff can be done after the fair is over and that’s when most of the damage is done. The stuff that doesn’t sell is practically given away if it’s left. This pony was sold after the fair for €20,” he said.

It is understood that the pony was being brought around Cloughleigh at night and was found at a roundabout on the Lahinch Road, where he was tied very tight to a post.

“There was rope going around his legs and neck and he was in a bad way but once we got water up to him, he was grand. It was children that had him. We went to the parents and they surrendered the pony to us.

“The parents didn’t know. The pony was seen as a toy and they got tired of it after a couple of days and they then abandoned it. It is illegal to sell an animal to children and outside of that, it’s not right,” Mr Coote said.

He added that anybody seeing this kind of activity should contact the gardaí or him.