Matters relating to stray or abandoned horses in urban and rural areas come within the scope of the Control of Horses Act, 1996 under which Local Authorities have been given extensive powers. These powers include the making of bye-laws for the control and welfare of horses in the local authorities’ functional area, together with provisions on licensing of horses within control areas and seizure and detention of stray or abandoned horses. My officials are in ongoing contact with Local Authority representatives to underline that effective implementation of Control of Horses Act by them can assist with controlling horses and reducing potential horse welfare problems developing, particularly with regard to horses that are straying and or abandoned.
My Department also provides financial assistance to Local Authorities to assist in their work in implementing the Control of Horses Act. To date this year, almost €2m has been provided for this purpose.
The Animal Health & Welfare Bill which I am bringing forward consolidates a wide range of existing legislation. As such, it will apply in a wide range of situations affecting the welfare of animals and will be enforceable by a range of state bodies such as An Garda, customs officers and local authorities. The Animal Health & Welfare Bill sets out general horizontal rules on health and welfare that will apply to all animals. The Animal Health & Welfare Bill does not set out detailed rules for individual species or sectors. These can be dealt with through a variety of means such as Codes Of Practice, Regulations or other primary legislation which can lay down more detailed laws for different species in certain cases such as, for example, The Control of Horses Act. This Act already contains provisions enabling the local authorities to stable horses prior to determining their status. I should add that all owners or persons in charge of premises where horses are kept are required to register these premises under the Diseases of Animals (Registration of Equine Premises) Order 2012 (SI No 8 of 2012).
