COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 11, 2013

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor G. Kenny

That this council in its responsibility and accountabilty according to the Control Of Horses Bye-Laws 1997 that it has a transparent and documented criteria for the disposal of horses. Last year over three hundred horses were deemed to be disposed of in acccordance to the Bye-Laws in this county, does this council have the knowledge and traceabilty of each horse that was deemed to be disposed of under the present guidelines.

REPORT:

All horses seized by the Council are verified against the National Passporting and traceability requirements and processed as required under the appropriate regulations. Horses which are not reclaimed or rehomed are disposed of through the national network of Dept of Agriculture approved Category 2 Intermediate Plants (Knackery). With regard to the issue of traceability, documentation is required by the Council detailing the processing of each individual horse, confirming that disposal has been effected through these authorised facilities. The Council then submits these records to the Department of Agriculture to complete the tracing process. All horses seized by the Council are accounted for in this way.

SDCC is currently engaged in a Review of the Control of Horses Bye-laws l997 to reflect the recommendations of  the   protocol agreed between the D.A.F.M. and Local Authorities in May 20l2. It is anticipated that a report on the review of these bye-laws will be presented to the April meeting of the Council.