COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Area Committee request the Chief Executive to consider liaising with the Guards to ensure the Guards have the pounds number in all their stations on their systems and look at a quicker way to get cruelty to horses reported and acted on in the Council.

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. To improve traceability, any horse that is not already chipped, is chipped on entering the pound.

Statistics in relation to horse seizures nationally are available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the following link: gov - Animal Welfare (www.gov.ie)

In addition to our obligations under the Act, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) have developed the Ballyowen Equine Centre in collaboration with the 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 Equine facility, which opened in January 2017 gives young horse owners the opportunity to take responsibility and care for their animals in a safe environment. A licence agreement is in place since 2017 with SDCC and Clondalkin Equine Club and SDCC continues to manage the licence agreement and support the facility.

The Fettercairn Youth Horse Project (FYHP) is situated on a 4-acre site provided by South Dublin County Council, in Fettercairn. It provides training and education for young people in Fettercairn in horse riding skills, animal welfare and horse management skills. It aims to channel the young people’s love of horses into a constructive community activity providing them with opportunities to develop personal, social and vocational skills.  Training programmes in riding and stable management are designed and delivered to a number of groups, including local schools and youth groups; riders with physical and/or learning disabilities; young people from socially excluded groups including Travellers.

Accredited training programmes are provided for young people who wish to pursue the different levels of qualifications with the Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE) and the British Horse Society (BHS).

I appreciate the concern raised in regard to the need for a more efficient way of reporting and addressing cruelty to horses. I will initiate discussions with the relevant authorities, including the Gardaí, to explore the feasibility of ensuring that the pounds number is available in all of their garda stations.

Additionally, we will review the current processes for reporting cruelty to horses and identify potential improvements to ensure quicker response times and more effective action.