230 horses seized from public lands by council in 2017
By Mary Dennehy
NEARLY 230 horses were seized from public lands by South Dublin County Council in 2017, with 212 of these animals euthanised.
Issues surrounding the welfare of horses roaming loose or tethered in communities is back on the agenda, after a horse was found dead in a Tallaght community.
The horse, which was tethered to a post in a green space in Knockmore, was reported to South Dublin County Council before Christmas.
However, it was not removed and on January 11, the animal was found dead by residents, some of whom tried to care for the horse after no action was taken by authorities.
When contacted by The Echo, the council said that it was aware of the presence of the horse and was in contact with the alleged owner in December.
Speaking with The Echo this week, a volunteer from My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR), which was alerted after the horse’s death, said: “The fact that authorities and the alleged owner were all aware of this horse in December and nothing happened is concerning.
“There are issues around who is responsible for dealing with information given to members of the public.
“For example, the council directs people to the DSPCA, but the DSPCA can only respond if it is a welfare case, if the horse is injured or unwell.
“The council is authorised to seize and so are the gardai, and I think all authorities need to be aware of their responsibilities and powers… and follow the same processes.”
Last year, South Dublin County Council seized 227 horses from its land, 212 of these animals were euthanised, five reclaimed and eight rehomed.
The high number of cheap horses for sale is an issue that also needs investigation, according to MLHR, with the availability of cheap horses believed to be a contributing factor to the low number of horses being reclaimed.
According to MLHR: “By law (Control of Horses Act 1996), horses are banned from council property and it’s the council’s job to enforce this ban.
“MLHR are calling on all councils to rigorously enforce the Control of Horses Act and related bye-laws in order to deter tethering of horses, loose/stray horses on or near public roads, and the related welfare issues that go along with tethering and straying.
“It must no longer be tolerated.”
A new forum called the Dublin Region Horse Welfare Group has recently been established and includes South Dublin County Council, gardai, volunteers from MLHR, a representative from the Department of Agriculture and local community reps.
MLHR is hoping that these forums will allow for all agencies, who they believe need to work together, to follow the same processes and provide members of the public with the same information when reports are made.
When contacted by The Echo, Mary Maguire of the council’s environment department said: “I can confirm that the issue of urban horse ownership and animal welfare is very high on the council‘s agenda.
“The council engages a competent contractor for the provision and operation of the horse seizure service and horse pound facility, and as such all seized horses are taken to the horse pound facility where (if not already) they are microchipped on arrival, and examined by a veterinary practitioner.”
She added: “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.”
Report issues of stray horses to the council on 4149000 or welfare issues can be reported to the Department of Agriculture on animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
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