Over 270 dead calves are taken from farm

ONE of the biggest animal welfare incidents in the history of the state is currently being investigated by the Department of Agriculture and Galway County Council.

The Connacht Tribune has learned that over 270 dead calves have been taken from the farm in the North-East Galway area over recent weeks.

Some Dept. of Agriculture and County Council staff involved in the investigation were reported to have been traumatised at what they discovered on the shed and farm.

The calves – nearly all Friesian bulls – are understood to have died from a combination of malnutrition, dietary, disease and respiratory ailments.

A major investigation into what was happening at the farmyard has been underway since Saturday, April 10 last, with the Galway District Veterinary Office, the Dept. of Agriculture, and Galway Co. Council environmental and veterinary sections involved.

When contacted by the Connacht Tribune, Galway County Council declined to make a statement on what was going on at the farm, located in the Ballinamore Bridge/Ballygar area of North-East Galway.

“I wish to advise that the Council will not be commenting on the matter at this time,” a Council spokesman told the Connacht Tribune.

See the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download our digital paper from www.connachttribune.ie