Bartley Finnerty, who has been working in animal welfare for eight and a half years, was contacted by a member of the public to attend the scene in a wooded area in Dublin 24.
The horse’s body was found on October 17 in south county Dublin, with its remains contained in two yellow skip bags.
The DSPCA said one large skip bag contained “partial remains” of the dead horse, and, upon inspection, its four legs had been “intentionally removed” and placed in a smaller, adjacent skip bag.
Mr Finnerty said, in general, the horse appeared to be in reasonable condition, and “without a doubt”, the animal had been dead before its legs were amputated.
“It is my assumption that the legs were removed to hide the carcass during transportation. We’re going with the assumption that it was carried on a flatbed, such as a pickup, an open trailer, or something similar,” he said.
The DSPCA has appealed for information following the discovery of a dead horse in south Dublin
The DSPCA has confirmed the matter is an “ongoing investigation” and one they intend to pursue to the “bitter end”.
“It was horrific and pretty disturbing to all of us at the DSPCA,” Mr Finnerty said.
“The least anyone can do for a dead animal or pet, and the least an animal deserves, is a proper burial at the end of its life, not to be chopped up and left beside a wood.
“That took work, that took time, and to do that, you’re a particular type of individual,” he added.
“If anyone has a sick or injured animal and, for one reason or another, is unable to care for it, they should make immediate contact with their local charities to seek help,” he added.
According to the DSPCA’s website, your local county council is responsible for the removal of deceased animals on council land. However, if the animal is on private land, no service is provided by the council.
A public appeal for information has been issued to anyone who may have seen “a grab-type van or truck” in the area over the last few days.
The DSPCA will be examining CCTV footage as part of their investigation and engaging with the gardaí.
Anyone with information that could support the enquiries is asked to email inspectors@dspca.ie. The animal rescue service said all information will be treated with complete confidentiality.
Motorists who may have relevant dashcam footage that could assist the inquiry are also being asked to contact the DSPCA.
