The horse abattoir at the centre of an investigation into allegations of animal welfare abuse has been shut down. The Department of Agriculture is currently carrying out an inquiry into activities involving the supply of horses for slaughter following an exposé by RTÉ Investigates. The plant operated by Shannonside Foods in Straffan, Co Kildare, is now fully suspended, the Department confirmed on Sunday. The abattoir was the focus of a number of protests on Saturday by members of the charity My Lovely Horse Rescue after RTÉ captured footage of horses allegedly being beaten and mistreated. Horse Racing Ireland said it would “actively support” the Department of Agriculture and Garda investigations, and urged anyone with information about mistreatment of horses to report it to gardaí.

Source: The Herald June 16, 2024 11:39 UTC