COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2016

MOTION NO.14

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this committee supports My Lovely Horse Rescue calls to council for enforcement of the Control of horses Act and the council bye laws and that the council considers placing signage in all parks and open spaces - a sign to state such,  won't be tolerated. Also to enforce the requirement for a horse licence, and compliant stabling etc. - all already in bye laws - Also to review the penalties for non compliance that looks at ways to make people comply and enable enforcement. Also, educate people on the bye laws - maybe people literally haven't a clue that they need a horse licence (in a control area), a chip, a passport and an EPN. Equine premises contacts etc. That the Minister be written to and asked to review legislation and that SDCC review its bye Laws and enforcement of same.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council fully supports My Lovely Horse Rescue in its endeavours to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home horses, ponies and donkeys in the Dublin and greater Leinster area. 

The Council's (Control of Horses) Bye-Laws 2014 were adopted on 10th February 2014 and implemented with effect from 12th March 2014 and our Enforcement and Licensing Section actively enforces the provisions of these Bye-Laws and the Control of Horses Act 1996 as well as guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.   The Bye-Laws have provided the Council with stronger tools to deal with issues which impact negatively on communities and animals alike.  

The provisions of the Act and the Bye-Laws are fully utilised to reduce the number of horses that are being kept unlawfully (without licence / passport),  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.  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 within a period of five days from the date of seizure and detention the Council (or Garda Superintendent) may be dispose of by way of sale, destruction or re-homing.

Applications for reclaim are considered carefully and equines may be released to the owner or keeper of the horse only upon provision of a suite of relevant documentation to the Council, including proof of ownership, horse licence, passport, detail on suitability of location where the horse is to be kept etc.

It should be acknowledged that this Council is particularly proactive in the management of, and promotion of responsible urban horse ownership.  Currently the Council is developing a state of the art equine facility for the stabling of up to 20 horses, with significant assistance from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which will be managed by Clondalkin Equine Club under a management licence subject to strict conditions relative to oversight / governance, application of equality legislation, membership / use of the facility, and application of strict animal welfare protection.  Animal welfare remains a priority and ongoing education and awareness will form part of the urban horse project programme. 

Similarly, a communication and awareness programme will be developed by the Council and rolled out in 2017.

The Council can consider the feasibility of placing signage in open spaces, although signs are not a panacea in preventing stray horses being put in public spaces and stray horses are not a problem within the Council's main parks where there is constant passive surveillance.

The issue of general penalties and non-compliance are covered under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 and any change would require political intervention.   

The existing Bye-Laws may be reviewed to establish if enforcement aspects require amendment.   Such initiation may be instigated by the SPC as part of the 2017 work programme.