COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor M. Johansson

"That this committee recognises the significant drop in impounding of equines in SDCC. Impounding is down 32% from 2017. The committee recognises there are improvements in enforcement and criteria in regards to the welfare and trading of horses nationally. Social projects like the Clondalkin Equine Club have played a small part in giving young horse owners in a urban environment a place they can safely stable their horses. It’s imperative that models such as the CEC are supported by the local authority into the future."

REPORT:

Under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, all local authorities are responsible for the control of horses in their areas. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, South Dublin County Council's Control of Horses Bye-Laws, 2014 were made on 10th February 2014 and implemented with effect from 12th March 2014. These Byelaws are actively enforced and provide the Council with tools to deal with issues which impact negatively on communities and animals alike.

Problems associated with keeping horses in an urban area may include neglect and cruelty to the animals, damage to public property including parks, sports pitches and grass verges, danger posed to public safety and general nuisance posed by presence of horses in public places.

South Dublin County Council has a proven track record in the effective management of this service, and also works closely with the DSPCA in monitoring horses from an animal welfare perspective within South Dublin County.

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

Statistics in relation to horse seizures nationally are available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the following link: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalwelfare/controlofhorses/

The Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group was established by South Dublin County Council in August 2017 in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Dublin City Council; Fingal County Council; Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and An Garda Síochána. The group was established to develop a concerted collaborative programme aimed at promoting and facilitating responsible horse ownership across the Dublin region.

The membership of the group includes:

• Dublin Local Authorities: South Dublin County, Dublin City, Fingal County & Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County.
• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• An Garda Síochána
• DSPCA
• Fettercairn Youth Horse Project
• Clondalkin Equine Club
• Traveller Development Groups
• Voluntary Groups/rescue centres e.g. My Lovely Horse and Irish Horse Welfare Trust
• UCD Veterinary Services

The group has met on seven occasions, with the most recent meeting held on 7th March 2019. The next meeting is scheduled for the 6^th June.

Four dedicated working groups in the following areas are in place:

• Improving Animal Welfare through increased liaison with key stakeholders
• Increasing education and awareness through planned programmes delivered at equestrian centres
• Minimising indiscriminate breeding through regulated supervised castration programmes
• Current review of legislation with a view to making submission to DAFM on new draft legislation currently being considered by a higher level national working group

South Dublin County Council receives subvention from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for its the delivery of the service under the Control of Horses Act 1996, specifically in relation to the cost of seizures. Expenditure in 2018 for the administration and management of the service in South Dublin County was approximately €212,000.

Ballyowen Equine Centre:

The facility was developed by South Dublin County Council in collaboration with Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Clondalkin Equine Club in order to address the keeping of horses in an unregulated and uncontrolled manner resulting in serious animal welfare and public safety issues which were a cause of concern for both the Council, Gardaí, central government and the communities of these areas. The facility, which opened in January 2017 gives young horse owners the opportunity to take responsibility and care for their animals in a safe environment.

South Dublin County Council continues to support the facility, which is currently occupied by Clondalkin Equine Club under licence.