The images went viral after the Ennistymon Horse Fair on Sunday
A Moyvalley-based animal rescue charity has called for immediate action after photos of a man drinking at a pub in Co. Clare while holding a zebra foal and a pony went viral.
The pictures, taken at the Ennistymon Horse Fair on Sunday, show the man walking through the town with the zebra on a leash and later enjoying a pint while the foal and pony stand beside him.
Though zebras are wild animals and there are no specific laws in Ireland to protect them or require a license, animal charities have been advocating for stronger protections for exotic species.
My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue stressed that this issue needs urgent attention to prevent exotic animals from being sold freely in the country.
Quoted in The Irish Examiner, Martina Kenny, co-founder of the charity said: “We’ve been flooded with concerns for the foal... It’s unacceptable to have a foal in a pub, and where is the zebra’s mother? It's a baby.”
“We’ve contacted the Gardaí to express our concerns. So many people are already voicing their concerns online. We’re simply not doing enough for animals in this country. Rescues are already overwhelmed, and now we have a zebra foal being brought into a pub. I’m also surprised the pub allowed it.” she added.
Three images of the young zebra have been circulating since Sunday.
The first shows it being walked through the town on a leash, with bystanders looking on.
The second shows a child approaching the zebra to pet it, while the third features the man in the pub with the zebra and pony, surrounded by the public and a child, as he drinks a pint.
“This is not acceptable,” Ms. Kenny continued. “Legally, he may own the animal, but bringing animals into a pub raises serious welfare concerns, and it has upset many people.”
“Is the animal chipped and has a passport? It’s crucial that the law is followed, but I fear we lack the enforcement to protect our animals.”
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