Photos of a zebra foal and a pony being paraded through the streets of Ennistymon during the town’s annual horse fair have sparked outrage and concern among animal welfare groups. The images show a man identified as Johnny Cross walking the zebra foal on a leash through the town, with bystanders watching in surprise. Animal rescue charities have expressed alarm over the treatment of the young zebra.
There is currently no specific licensing requirement for owning exotic pets like zebras in Ireland, but animal welfare charities have been advocating for stricter regulations and oversight on the sale and ownership of exotic species. Martina Kenny, co-founder of My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue, contacted the Ennistymon Garda station after seeing the images on social media. She expressed concern for the welfare of the exotic animal and questioned if it was legally owned, microchipped, or had a passport.
Locals in Ennistymon have expressed disappointment and anger over the mistreatment of the animals at the horse fair. Martina Kenny believes that the situation is a serious animal welfare issue and that the man responsible should be held accountable. She also highlighted the safety concerns of bringing live animals into a confined, busy pub, stating that it puts both the animals and people at risk.
