COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 22, 2014

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor M. Genockey

To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the introduction of the new 2014 Control of Horses Bye-Laws and how the council intends to manage the implantation of these new laws with a view to tackling the issue both for communities and the animals that are being kept in inappropriate conditions and are often maltreated?

REPLY:

The Enforcement and Licensing Section have and will continue to enforce the provisions of the Control of Horses Act 1996, the Bye-Laws and guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

South Dublin County Council (Control of Horses) Bye-Laws 2014 were adopted by the Council on 10th February 2014 and implemented with effect from 12th March 2014.

The Bye-Laws have provided the Council with stronger powers to deal with the issues of the keeping of horses in unsuitable conditions, which impacts negatively on communities and animals alike. These provisions are fully utilised to reduce the number of horses that are being kept in unsuitable conditions, or in areas where their presence has an adverse effect on the community.

All reports of loose/stray horses which are received from public representatives, members of the public and Council staff are referred in a timely manner to the contractor engaged by the Council for the provision and operation of the horse seizure service and horse pound facility.

A total of 351 horses have been seized and impounded in the period 1st January 2014 to 31st August 2014. In addition, Enforcement and Licensing liaises with welfare bodies and other departments within the Council, particularly where there are welfare concerns.