COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, October 22, 2012

QUESTION NO.  1

QUESTION: Councillor M. Devine

"To ask the Manager to outline, as open as is possible, the strategy for removal of horses from the estates within the Tallaght Central area?"

REPLY:

The issue of stray or abandoned horses is dealt with under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 and the South Dublin County Council (Control Of Horses) Bye-Laws, 1997.

Under the South Dublin County Council (Control Of Horses) Bye-Laws, 1997 the Council has declared the entire functional area of the County of South Dublin to be a control area. A person shall not at any time place, turn out to graze, feed or allow to remain or stray a horse in a public place.

The Council enforces the Control of Horses Act, 1996 and the South Dublin County Council (Control Of Horses) Bye-Laws, 1997 and in so doing, has employed since 2011 a private contractor to seize stray or abandoned horses. Prior to this, Council staff were charged with this task.

Stray or abandoned horses are removed from public open spaces following a report from members of the public or the Gardai. The contractor also seizes horses known to be on council lands surrounding Traveller accommodation or standard council accommodation on foot of weekly reports from the Council’s Traveller Accommodation Unit. At the time of reporting (15/10/12) 260 No. horses have been seized in the South Dublin County Council area since January 2012.

If members of the public witness stray or abandoned horses in their locality, they can contact the Council’s Control of Horses Section on (01) 414 9000 during office hours, or their local Gardai station outside office hours.

Details of reasons why a horse would be seized, and how a member of the public can reclaim a horse are set out on the County Council’s Website.