The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) says it has dealt with over 20 abandoned horses today.

Their inspectors have attended 12 calls in Ringsend, Raheny, Tallaght, Inchicore, Bluebell and Clondalkin.

They say the horses were not injured or sick but had been left "tied up to graze" in open areas such as outside schools or on public green spaces.

The DSPCA have warned there are substantial penalties including a ban from owning horses and fines for leaving animals in public spaces to graze.