'This is not OK': Animal charities outraged after man seen with zebra foal and pony in Clare pub
The young zebra at Ennistymon Horse Fair over the weekend.
An animal rescue charity has said action should be taken immediately after photos of a man drinking in a pub in Co Clare holding onto a zebra foal and pony went viral.
The images, which were taken at the Ennistymon Horse Fair on Sunday, show the man walking through the town with the zebra on a strap, and then later drinking a pint while the foal and pony stand beside him.
Zebras are wild animals and while there is no legislation to protect them in this country, and no requirement for a licence, animal charities have been highlighting the urgent need to protect all exotic species here.
My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue said this issue needed to be addressed urgently, which would prevent exotic animals being sold freely here.
“We have been inundated with concerns for the foal,” said Martina Kenny from the charity. “It is not OK to have a foal in a pub and not only that, where is the zebra’s mother? It’s a baby.
“We have made contact with the gardaà to highlight our concerns. So many people are already raising this as an issue online.
Three images of the young zebra have been circulating online since Sunday.
The first image shows it being walked in the town on a strap, as passers-by look on.
A second image shows a child going towards the zebra to pet it and the third is of the man in the pub with a pony and the zebra surrounded by members of the public and a child, while he drinks a pint.
“This is not OK,” continued Ms Kenny. “Legally, he is allowed to own the animal, but there are animal welfare issues when animals are being brought into the pub and it has upset so many people.
“Is the animal chipped with a passport? It’s important that the law is followed, and I fear we just don’t have enforcement to protect our animals."
Clare Animal Welfare also highlighted its concerns in a post on its Facebook page, saying: “This is not a hoax, this cruelty is going on in Ennistymon, Co Clare, at the horse fair."
The message was followed by information received from a member of the public which said: "Hi I would like to report a zebra in Ennistymon at the horse fair, or whatever was on today."
The has contacted the Department of Agriculture and the gardaĂ for comment.
