ABANDONED HORSES nursed to health at a southeast Galway animal sanctuary have been stolen in a series of recent incidents.
Four horses in all were taken, including a mare and foal, from the Avalon sanctuary in Woodford, Co Galway. All the animals were micro-chipped and the thefts were reported to the Garda.
The sanctuary is home to some 80 horses, almost 70 dogs and some 40 goats, most of which were abandoned. It works with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
The animals were “in very poor health when we first got them” but had had veterinary treatment and were recovering, Avalon manager Noreen Conroy said. Locks were broken during the raids. The sanctuary is taking extra security measures, and has appealed for information on the stolen animals.