Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns

Highlighting sulky racing and other animal welfare incidents. Always report crime to An Garda Síochána and authorised officers.

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

B Class Hobbled Sulky Race Final. Sulky race on N7, near Citywest. Trophy and all.

3 horse race on a dual carriageway.

On tarmac.
For miles.

Are we ok with this?

[Crime World @crimeworld_com]

Cop sacked for allegedly waving gun at fellow officer who microwaved fish in police station https://t.co/QUgIRTtrbF

[My Lovely Horse Rescue @MyLovelyHorseR]

💔💔💔ANOTHER POOR HORSE 💔💔💔💔

Thank you to Newbridge An Garda Síochána who alerted us to an emaciated, sick pony today. The poor thing was parching, hidden away… we simply cannot get over the level of cruelty and ignorance some humans are capable of 😡😡😡
Animals, like every living being, NEED WATER AND SHELTER in this warm weather 💔💔💔
Horses normally drink on average, between 25 and 55 litres of water per day, yet some of the animals we are coming across are getting barely a drop💔💔💔💔
Dogs chained up with nothing💔
No shelter💔
No care💔
No compassion. 💔💔💔💔💔
Enough is enough.
Once again, we are pleading with the public to please donate if you can. We are completely inundated with cases and desperately need support to continue helping these animals💔💔

https://t.co/gBLskZcqPM

Please don’t ignore neglect. Speak up. Report it. Help us save lives💔💔💔

[Ethical Farming Ireland @ethicalfarmIE]

Here is a reminder of what it is like for calves inside the trucks 🚚 This footage was taken at Rosslare Port, before the long ferry journey. They will have already been in the truck for several hours. Journeys can take 50 hours or more in total. No headroom, barely space to lie down, and of course no food. They can barely access the water systems @BrittanyFerries @jmrouebferries @kristofbf

[John @JnOCallaghan]

🚨Puppy Farm Scandal🚨
SHAMEFULLY, Ireland is 'Puppy Farming Capital of Europe' ! Unscrupulous dog breeders earn TWO HUNDRED MILLION EUROS p/annum from this criminality. PLEASE listen to @AdvocacyDog
recent interview on https://t.co/dqw9o9f2ax radio
👇
https://t.co/upDGsPI3LT…

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is bringing draft legislation before Cabinet today aimed at tackling so-called puppy farms
https://t.co/mIGlu7UWFF

[Áedán Gr. @Aedan39620041]

@EU_Commission @martinheydonfg @vonderleyen #Ireland #AnimalWelfare @rtenews @MichealMartinTD

[My Lovely Horse Rescue @MyLovelyHorseR]

My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue has welcomed recent comments from Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon condemning animal cruelty and stating that “there can be absolutely no tolerance for animal abuse or neglect.”

We are hopeful these statements represent a more serious and proactive approach from the Department of Agriculture towards enforcement, accountability, and structural reform within Ireland’s animal welfare system.
The statement comes following a weekend of significant public attention on animal welfare issues, including protests in Co Tipperary attended by hundreds of people calling for stronger protections and enforcement for animals across Ireland, alongside renewed national debate surrounding sulky racing and equine welfare concerns. This protest was led by ourselves and Cllr Michael Brennan and Cllr Liam Browne
This also comes as Petition https://t.co/E6JkJ6p94M, submitted by My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue to the Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen, is scheduled to return before the Committee at its next meeting on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The Committee has also sought responses from both the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioner in relation to the issues raised.
The petition calls for significant reforms to Ireland’s animal welfare enforcement framework, including:
• A dedicated animal welfare investigative unit
• Improved national coordination and oversight
• Greater transparency and accountability
• Stronger enforcement structures
• Better resourcing and measurable outcomes

For too long, animal welfare organisations and volunteers have been left carrying responsibilities that should sit within a properly resourced national enforcement structure. We welcome any indication that Government is beginning to recognise the seriousness of these issues, but animals need action, not just acknowledgement.

The public are reporting cruelty, neglect, abandonment and illegal activity every single day. What’s missing is a coordinated system capable of responding effectively, transparently and consistently. This petition is about building a structure that actually works.”
Meaningful animal welfare reform requires accountability at every level. Ireland needs a system where responsibility is clear, enforcement is visible, and outcomes can be measured. We are encouraged that these discussions are now progressing at Committee level.”
We remain committed to engaging constructively with Government departments and the Oireachtas Committee in pursuit of meaningful reform.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH 😡😡😡😡😡💔💔💔💔💔
@gardainfo @agriculture_ie

[Lou 🌻🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧 @Lou_1283]

@AnimalCrimeIRE @martinheydonfg @DarraghOBrienTD @OCallaghanJim Why aren’t they seizing the horses on welfare grounds?

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

This was regarding a sulky race on the M3.
Yet races continue @SimonHarrisTD @DarraghOBrienTD @martinheydonfg - you’ve been getting emails about sulky racing for years so we hope 2026 is the year action happens to end them

[Simon Harris TD @SimonHarrisTD]

I have seen online video of an appalling incident of 3 horse harness race/sulky race on the M3 this morning. Horrific abuse of animals and a major danger to motorists. If anyone has any information on this, please report it to Gardai to ensure this can be fully pursued

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

@SimonHarrisTD Nothing has changed since 2023 regarding sulky racing

Races continue on a M3 and other roads.

This incident was never followed up even though reg places ans video provided to @gardainfo however he Garda was unable to open the video.

[Ban Blood Sports @banbloodsports]

Calls for ‘heavy handed’ laws after dangerous sulky race in massive convoy on busy Limerick road https://t.co/midtPyxcB0

[Leona Tuck @leona_tuck]

That reminds me, must pay my dog license this week... all the while knowing horses are allowed roam around housing estates, busy main roads & err sulky race on motorways, suburbs etc. Lawless country when it comes to animal welfare.. @McConalogue @agriculture_ie

[Ban Blood Sports @banbloodsports]

Brazen sulky racers ignore garda pursuit as they race N7 in total darkness https://t.co/GxlLl0HLVo

[Cossie 🇮🇪🇪🇺🇨🇵🇺🇦🇱🇧 @ger_cosgrove]

@AnimalCrimeIRE @GardaTraffic @HMcEntee @DarraghOBrienTD @martinheydonfg @OCallaghanJim @GardaTraffic @OCallaghanJim When is this going to stop.

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

@DarraghOBrienTD and @martinheydonfg have been getting emails about sulky races for years! Why hasn’t anything been done sooner?

Better late than never, but will watch this closely.

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

“Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has called for a fresh clampdown on sulky racing due to significant animal welfare concerns relating to the activity.”

https://t.co/GJzJW5xsjV

@martinheydonfg @DarraghOBrienTD @OCallaghanJim

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

@domdyer70 Dangerous sulky racing is also a huge issue in the U.K. Racers from U.K. race in Ireland and vice versa, especially for competitions.

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

@domdyer70 Thanks for sharing. Plenty of potential offences under the Animal Heath and Welfare Act 2013, Control of Horses Act 1996 and Road Traffic Act. Enforcement is an issue unfortunately.

[dominic dyer @domdyer70]

Dangerous & cruel this should be illegal

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

@__jack_ryan @GardaTraffic @HMcEntee @DarraghOBrienTD @martinheydonfg @OCallaghanJim Having watched the thousands od race videos, I will agree to disagree with you.

[Reporting Animal Crime and Concerns @AnimalCrimeIRE]

Sulky race, dangerous driving on the N2 near Ashbourne about 1 hour ago.

Is this acceptable? This road is regularly used for races. Ask your politicians why little is done to end racing horses on roads @GardaTraffic @HMcEntee @DarraghOBrienTD @martinheydonfg @OCallaghanJim