FAILED racehorses and other unwanted animals are being butchered and fed to lions and tigers at Dublin Zoo, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

The unwanted horses are sent to an abattoir in Co Kilkenny, where they are slaughtered and sold on to Dublin Zoo, pet food producers and restaurants in other EU countries.

Dublin Zoo has confirmed that it sources significant quantities of horse meat from B&F Meats, a factory based in Thomastown.

A spokeswoman said: "I have spoken to the Stores Manager in relation to your questions about what meats are fed to the animals ... he looks after buying all the animal food. He informed me that we use a selection of high quality meats, which are mainly pork, horsemeat, lamb, chicken and fish. They are sourced from a range of reputable companies.

"You specifically asked where the horsemeat is sourced from; it is bought from B&F Meats. All meats which are used are suitable for human consumption."

It is understood that horsemeat is considered particularly suitable for big cats, because it resembles the food they would eat in their natural habitat.

The number of horses going for slaughter has increased sharply in recent months according to a director of B&F Meats, Michael Farrell.

He has said that poor prices were forcing owners to cull even young stock in an attempt to reduce their numbers and cut costs.

October and November are considered the peak months for slaughter as old mares and those unlikely to foal again have been weaned from their offspring.

Factory prices for the animals range from just €100 to €400. However, owners usually send horses for slaughter not for profit but rather to cut running costs at their own stables.

It is understood that B&F Meats currently slaughters around 100 horses a week.

One owner admitted: "A horse is a very expensive animal to keep and if they can't race or jump and can't reproduce, then they are not much use to anybody.

"It may seem cruel to people, but this is one of the day-to-day realities of the equine industry in Ireland."

The recession has hit the horse industry and racing syndicates and families who could previously afford to pay the high fees needed to maintain a horse are now struggling with payments.

The lowest priced animals are generally used for pet food and for feeding large carnivorous animals at Dublin Zoo. However, some of the produce is sent to countries such as France and Holland where horsemeat is still considered a delicacy.