The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims there is a widespread increase in animal abuse and has called on the public to be more alert and to report cases to the Garda.
The Limerick-based president of the ISPCA, Ms Marion Fitzgibbon, said animals in Limerick were being burned, stabbed and even beheaded in "unspeakable" acts.
Her comments coincided with the launch of a legal handbook by the ISPCA summarising the legislation and Garda powers in relation to animal welfare, including information on prosecutions.
Ms Fitzgibbon said: "Some of the things that are done to animals in Limerick are unspeakable. We find dogs nearly dead on the side of the street, and three dogs were found burned recently.
"A little terrier we came across was stabbed once and left to die. One dog was pulled along at high speed by a car full of joyriders. They had tied his leash to the car and the dog was being pulled along on his side on the ground. He was near death's door when we found him.
"We have found cats beheaded and burnt and we are continuously finding dogs tied to railway tracks. People shouldn't let their animals out at night because these are the animals that end up on bonfires or being abused," she added.
She said the situation had become more terrifying and cruelty was on the increase. "It is very worrying to think people out there are doing dreadful acts to living creatures. Some of the acts of cruelty are mindless and malicious."
The legal handbook covers the alleviation of suffering of strays and abandoned animals, the protection of farm animals, the transport of animals and the protection of performing animals.