Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
1039. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legislative and other measures he is taking to prevent the neglect and cruelty to horses and donkeys, particularly regarding the breeding, sale and ownership of these animals; if he will consider closing places such as the Smithfield Market and setting up sanctuaries for rescued horses and donkeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10101/16]
View answerIncidents of equine neglect and cruelty are totally unacceptable and the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 provides for very significant penalties relating to offences of this nature. Under the Act, on summary conviction, a person can receive a fine of up to €5,000 and up to six months imprisonment. For major cases taken on indictment, the maximum penalty is €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years.
Substantial funding is provided by my Department to animal welfare organisations to assist their work in protecting the welfare of all animals, including horses. In December last, an amount of €2.5 m was provided to 140 animal welfare organisations to assist their work in protecting animal welfare and in educating the public on best animal welfare practice and to enable them provide facilities for at-risk animals. €290,000 was provided to the ISPCA Head Office and DSPCA respectively to assist their work in protecting animal welfare. The DSPCA operates in Dublin city and county and a service agreement has been agreed between my Department and the DSPCA under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 empowering DSPCA Inspectors to intervene in situations of neglect and cruelty of equines in urban areas of Dublin and to initiate prosecutions against persons found to be committing an offence of animal cruelty under the Act. Similar arrangements relating to service agreements are in place with the ISPCA
Matters relating to Smithfield Market are the responsibility of Dublin City Council. However, I understand that Dublin City Council enacted by-laws in 2013 for the regulation of Smithfield Horse Fair reducing the Fair to two per annum in March and September. These fairs are managed by Dublin City Council with interagency support from An Garda Síochána and my Department and this has addressed the problems previously associated with this market.
