Six complaints have been made to the animal welfare hotline in connection with Puck Fair this year.
As of 15th August, the hotline operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, had received six complaints about the fair.
Puck Fair ran from 10th to 12th August, with a spell of very fine weather in Killorglin over the three days.
Complaints made via the Department’s animal welfare hotline are followed up by the Department veterinary officers and/or authorised officers.
The Department has said that it’s received six complaints to the animal welfare hotline in connection with Puck Fair.
It says no complaints were received by the regional veterinary office.
The Department says the organisers of Puck Fair communicated a plan to it regarding the treatment of the goat, including veterinary inspection of the animal and contingencies in case of hot weather.
An independent veterinary practitioner monitored the goat before, during, and after being put up in the stand.
During the opening and closing ceremonies, King Puck was raised for no more than two hours, and was subsequently removed and returned to a farm by experienced Puck Fair handlers.
The goat was returned to his accommodation in a ventilated and bedded livestock trailer.
The Department says protecting animal welfare is a priority for it.
The number of complaints this year is a slight increase from 2023, when there were five such complaints.
