KERRY breeder of Connemara Ponies, Noel Lane of Brosna Connemara Ponies, this week highlighted the case of his stolen home-bred Connemara pony, that he has found alive and well in Sweden after being told by a sales producer that his pony was allegedly dangerous and had been apparently euthanised in a meat factory. This was done without his permission as the owner and breeder of the now eight-year-old animal in question.

Extensive work has been done by Noel and his solicitor on tracing the pony in this case and following all necessary steps involving the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Gardaí. A file was sent to the DPP’s office for consideration of prosecution but none taken to date.

Lane outlined how in 2018 he gave the Connemara pony in question - Brosna Cheeky Bobby - to a midlands-based producer for sales preparation, his aim being to sell the pony at Clifden Pony Sales.

“However, the pony did not make the sale. Months later the producer in question told me he had to dispose of him saying he was dangerous and unruly. He said the pony had to be put down through a meat factory. I asked for the paperwork, he said he would sent it, I never got it.

“I informed the Department of Agriculture. There was no transfer of ownership for example done which concerned me as it is legally required. The pony was still in my name on the CPBS database and still is today. The DOA Inspector got a similar story and was given a name of an agent that buys for a meat factory. The Department never really followed up with it all the way, after initial inquiries it seemed that the Inspector had retired, nothing further happened,” said Noel.

In February 2020, the ‘dead’ pony turned up in a sales catalogue at Clifden and was sold outside the ring to a west of Ireland man who subsequently exported him for sale to Sweden.

Noel discovered that the same microchip and passport accompanied his pony to his new Swedish home, verified by the helpful transport company in question.

“So my pony, supposed to have gone for slaughter, turned up in Sweden alive and well to his new home. I did a search online and found the pony, same name, same pony. I complained to the Gardaí, and the DPP got a file but did not take a prosecution, not yet anyway, apparently the DPP said to the Gardaí it was more of a civil case.

“The pony was then re-sold in Sweden to a mother and daughter who ride him today, he is doing fine there, he’s well. I have been in contact with that lady to inform her [of the background which has nothing to do with them]. I told her that the pony was hers that I’m not coming after her or anything like that, they did not know anything of all this of course. I just wanted them to know in case they saw it on social media,” he said.

Noel Lane said: “I have informed the Department of Agriculture, and the Gardaí. It should not have happened and I have no doubt that I’m not the only one this has happened to. There is loopholes in the system over equine ownership and passports that should be tightened up to prevent this sort of thing happening to other people. This has caused a lot of stress and lot of worry,” he concluded.