COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, June 22, 2015

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor M. Genockey

"To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the implementation of the new horse by-laws and how the Council is dealing with the increase of horses in the green spaces in estates. And if the Chief Executive can confirm what happens to horses that are removed?" 

REPLY:

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 Enforcement and Licensing Section actively enforces the provisions of the Control of Horses Act 1996 (the Act), the Bye-Laws and guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

The provisions of the Act and the Bye-Laws 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 and the Bye-Laws have provided the Council with stronger tools to deal with these issues, which impact negatively on communities and animals alike.  

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.  All seized horses are taken to the horse pound facility where they are microchipped on arrival, (if not already microchipped) and examined by a veterinary practitioner. Horses which are unsuitable for re-homing or not reclaimed by their owners are euthanised.

The number of loose/stray/abandoned horses in South Dublin County has fallen significantly in 2015, as evidenced by the reduction in the number of complaints/reports and seizures. 30 horses were seized in the Tallaght area between 1st January 2015 and 31st May 2015, compared to 84 in the same period in 2014, which is a decrease of 65%.