Limerick Post exclusive
Horse owners encouraged to surrender animals they can’t afford to look after
DEATH threats have allegedly, been made to the inspector of the Limerick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
And he claims in one incident, a gun was put to his head in Moyross, with warnings also issued that he would be shot if he entered St Mary’s Park.
Noel Shinnors spoke to the Limerick Post this week, and vowed that he would continue to do his job to the best of his ability.
“I am not afraid of these thugs who are threatening my life”.
The alleged threats come following a stepping up in the control of horses laws being enforced by gardai
After seven horses were removed from city centre estates last week, he said: “I have received several phone calls warning me that if I entered St Mary’s Park, I would be shot”.
Noel is no stranger to confrontational behaviour as it is part of his job but, he added: “This does make my job more difficult, but I believe my work is good and these people have no right to interfere with it”.
A few months ago, Noel had a gun put to his head in Moyross.
He explained: “I was called out about a number of horses on a green area. When I arrived, I was taking pictures and I was approached by a number of men in a jeep who threatened to kill me if I did not hand over my camera. One pulled a gun from his jacket and I didn’t even think. I just drove out of there as quickly as possible”.
On another occasion, Noel said he was approached by a number of men who threatened to burn down his house, “They told me they knew where I lived and named the townland, and said they would burn down my house if I didn’t stop interfering with their horses”.
He said he has been briefed by the Gardai about being a victim of this type of intimidation.
“Other ISPCA inspectors from around the country think I’m mad to continue with my work but if I don’t continue to do my job,
what will happen to the animals in Limerick?”
Noel is worried about the winter ahead after the poor weather we have experienced.
“I fear over 100 horses will die in the city and county as the price of hay has increased due to a poor second cut; some farmers don’t even have enough fodder to keep themselves going”.
He appealed to horse-owners to surrender them if they can’t afford to feed and look after them. “The city council have a scheme in place where people can come forward and hand over their animals to us, and the Gardai will not prosecute them”.
He spoke about the increased level of intimidation after attending to two calls regarding the maltreatment of horse in the county.
One call related to the failure to inspect a horse which had been lying dead in a field for a number of days, and as reported in this paper last week.
While sitting in the van with Noel, this reporter witnessed the distressed calls of people claiming cruelty to animals.
One elderly lady called to report her neighbour for hitting his dog and broke down in tears because his behaviour upset her so much.
Another caller was concerned about a pony they had spotted in poor condition while passing a farmhouse. She said: “Please follow this up.. I had to tell my husband to stop and turn the car around because it was so f***ing bad”.
When Noel arrived to inspect the animal, it emerged that it was, in fact, 40-years old, and its owner was so attached to it he was reluctant to put it down.
*Anyone who feels that they have an animal that they can’t look after and wish to surrender should contact the LSPCA on 061 – 415618
