Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
841. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of engagement his Department has had with landowners or persons responsible for land in County Tipperary on whose land instances of stray or abandoned horses has been reported each year since 2016; the number of reports of such instances in County Tipperary; and the actions that were taken. [11264/22]
View answerThe matter of the control of straying and abandoned horses falls under the Control of Horses Act 1996, the implementation of which falls under the responsibility of the Local Authorities. The local authority is the appropriate authority to which landowners or persons should engage on such issues.
The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to local authorities enabling them to control stray and wandering horses on public or private lands in their areas. My Department provides financial funding to each local Authority to support their enforcement work. My Department's staff actively engage with Tipperary County Council and other stakeholders to safeguard animal welfare using a collaborative approach.
Separately, my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of suspected animal cruelty or neglect. The table below sets out the number of calls received from 2016-2021 which related to equines in the Tipperary area. Such reports of suspected abuse are referred to Department veterinary staff in the Regional Veterinary Offices for follow-up and appropriate actions as necessary.
|
Year |
Horse complaints Tipperary |
|
2016 |
17 |
|
2017 |
32 |
|
2018 |
57 |
|
2019 |
28 |
|
2020 |
32 |
|
2021 |
23 |
