113 horses seized by council in seven months
By Maurice Garvey
SOUTH Dublin County Council have to date in 2018 (January 1 to July 31) seized 113 horses, with just two horses being reclaimed by their owners, 25 horses rehomed and 86 horses euthanised.
SDCC say not all animals seized are suitable for rehoming.
Earlier this year, The Echo reported that 59 horses had been seized by the local authority from January to early April.
At the time, the lack of available space at animal welfare charities, led to difficulties in rehoming seized horses.
In 2017, SDCC seized 227 horses, most of which were euthanised – only five were reclaimed, and 11 rehomed.
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.
According to SDCC, horses which are unsuitable for re-homing or not reclaimed by their owners within a period of five days from the date of seizure, are disposed of by way of sale, re-homing or euthanasia.
SDCC have received €130,000 from the Department of Agriculture for the delivery of the service (specifically in relation to the cost of seizures) from January 1 – July 31 2018.
Independent Councillor Francis Timmons said: “It is disturbing that 86 horses were euthanised and very worrying that a lot seized are not suitable for rehoming. The majority of people hate to see any cruelty to horses.”
The Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group – containing members from the four Dublin councils and equine groups – was established last year by the Department to increase awareness about responsible horse ownership.
Cllr Timmons, a member of the group, said they are looking at many issues including legislation, indiscriminate breeding, education and responsible horse ownership.
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