Hundreds of people are taking part in a protest for animal welfare in Co Tipperary following the death of a horse in a collision with a car while it was involved in a sulky race in Clonmel in March.
A motorist was treated at the scene by paramedics following the sulky race.
It is understood the sulky driver was aged under 18.
The 'Walk in Solidarity’ from Irishtown to the Plaza in Clonmel was organised by Cllrs Michael Brennan (Labour) and Liam Browne (Independent), in association with animal welfare charity, My Lovely Horse Rescue.
"When it comes to animal cruelty and road safety, action has to be taken," said Cllr Brennan, who is a cat owner and animal advocate. "If I never get a pothole filled, but could do something on this, I’d be very happy."
My Lovely Horse Rescue is calling for a ban on the use of sulkies on public roads.
Co-founder Martina Kenny said, "A living animal, sentient, sensitive and easily frightened lost its life in a situation it should never have been in".
She said the horse was exposed to fast-moving traffic, noise, and pressure that no animal can be expected to cope with.
"When things go wrong in those situations they go wrong quickly and the consequences are devastating," she said.
Ms Kenny said sulky racing puts horses, drivers and the public at risk.
"Despite this, enforcement of existing laws remains inconsistent, and meaningful consequences are rare," she said.
Organisers of today’s protest plan to hold other demonstrations in Dublin and Limerick in the coming months.
