A MAN who allowed an "emaciated" and "distressed" horse to lie dying in a field has been ordered to surrender all animals in his care.John Daly, Upper Tomard, Bilbao, Co Carlow, pleaded guilty at Carlow District Court yesterday to two counts of cruelty to two horses in his care on February 29th, 2008.
The court heard that ISPCA inspector Brendan Hughes was called to a field by a member of the public who noticed a horse lying on the ground for some time. He told Judge William Harnett he found an "extremely emaciated" and "frightened" horse.
He thought the horse was dead and there was evidence on the ground that the animal had been trying to get to its feet for some time. He said it may have been on the ground for up to 24 hours.
Mr Hughes said he called a vet and the horse was put down that evening. A second horse in the field was seized by the ISPCA and also required veterinary attention.
Mr Daly's defence claimed the horse had colic, or a twisted gut, and that he was unable to afford to pay for a vet.
Mr Daly's solicitor said her client was "living in squalor" in a caravan and was unable to read or write.
Judge Harnett said "some of the finest horse handlers in the country have never seen the inside of a school building". He ordered that all horses belonging to Mr Daly be removed from his land and that a probation report be carried out on him before he appears again on March 11th.