An animal welfare charity has condemned footage showing a child leading a horse through a supermarket in Dublin, describing the incident as “completely unacceptable” and raising concerns about the animal’s wellbeing.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows a black-and-white horse wearing a bright yellow harness being walked through the aisles of the busy store while alarm sounds ring out and stunned shoppers look on.
The unusual scene sparked a wave of online reaction, with many viewers questioning how the animal was allowed into the premises and whether the horse may have become distressed in the crowded environment.
My Lovely Horse Rescue said its concerns are focused solely on animal welfare and not on wider debates around horse traps or sulkies being used on public roads.
Speaking following the circulation of the clip, spokesperson Martina Kenny said the charity had recently been commending horse owners who ensured their animals were properly cared for during the recent spell of hot weather — but stressed that bringing a horse into a supermarket crossed a line.
“We’ve seen many owners doing the right thing during the heatwave by making sure horses had water, shade and proper care,” she said. “But bringing a horse into a supermarket environment is simply not acceptable.”
Animal welfare groups have repeatedly warned that horses can become anxious or frightened in loud, enclosed or crowded public settings, particularly where there are unfamiliar noises, automatic doors, trolleys and large numbers of people moving around them. Experts say such situations can pose risks not only to the animal itself but also to members of the public if the horse becomes startled.
The incident has reignited debate around urban horse ownership and welfare standards in parts of Dublin, an issue that has frequently drawn attention from charities and local authorities in recent years.
No injuries were reported following the supermarket incident, and it remains unclear when exactly the footage was recorded or whether any official complaint has been made.
