COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

"To ask the Chief Executive if there has been any horses reported as being abused, strayed or otherwise come to the attention of the Council in the Lucan, Palmerstown, Adamstown Area over the past three months and if yes, what action has been taken and with what results?" 

REPLY:

All reports of loose/stray horses which are received from elected 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 dispose of by way of sale, animal euthanasia or re-homing.

In relation to the areas specified between the period October to December 2017 there were 2 horses seized - 1 in Moyglas, Lucan and 1 on the Newcastle Road.  Also from the period 1st to 12th January 2018 a further 11 horses have been seized from the area's specified - 2 in Tór an Rí, 3 at Hazelhatch, 6 on Newcastle Road at 12th Lock.  There were 7 non-seizures during October to December 2017 (sightings of horses reported but not there when contractor arrives on site).

There have been no direct reports of abuse made to South Dublin County Council.  Nonetheless, South Dublin County Council works closely with the DSPCA in monitoring horses within South County Dublin.  

One deceased horse was removed by Public Realm from Tór an Rí, Lucan in January.   

The Council has formed a Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working group and through this works closely with the DSPCA; the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, (DAFM), Clondalkin Equine Club; An Garda Síochána and various other charity / voluntary groups and NGOs to prevent cruelty to animals, and to promote responsible urban horse ownership.