COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

MOTION NO. 18

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

"This committee deplores the fact that horses are still being mistreated and left in a neglected state in a number of locations in Clondalkin.  Could the chief executive present a report on the number of calls it has received in relation to this issue in the last year?  Could he also outline what response could be offered to such calls and what general approach is now being taken to the problem of neglected horses in the Clondalkin area."

REPORT:

In January 1st to 31st December 2016 Enforcement & Licencing received 1,460 calls from the general public reporting loose horses. 

There is no record regarding the physical condition of the horses when seized. 

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 may be disposed of by the Council (or Garda Superintendent) by way of sale, destruction or re-homing.

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.

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.  The Council has recently developed 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. This facility is being 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 is being 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.