#CoastalNotes - An animal welfare officer has described as "planned and sinister" the dumping of a number of horse and cattle carcasses at the foot of the Baltard Cliffs in Doonbeg, Co Clare this week.

As The Irish Times reports, Frankie Coote of Clare ISPCA found "nine horses, four cattle and three calves together at the bottom of the cliffs" after a tip-off from a member of the public on Monday 31 March.

"Their ears had been cut off to remove the tags. This was planned. Whoever did it, it took quite a lot of work," he added.

In addition, an injured horse found high above the scene near the cliff edge had to be put down.

It's believed that the carcasses were thrown from the cliff top some 300 feet above, and have been decomposing at the coastal site for more than two months.

The ISPCA is working in conjunction with Kilrush Garda Clare County Council and the Department of Agriculture to investigate the incident. The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.