Bernard Allen
Ceist:168 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice if he proposes to introduce legislation to strengthen the powers of local authorities to deal with the ever increasing problem of wandering horses.
Written Answers. - Wandering Animals Legislation.
I have no proposals to amend those aspects of the animals legislation for which I have responsibility.
The local authorities were given greatly increased powers in relation to the impounding of wandering or trespassing animals in the Animals Act, 1985. These included giving local authorities power to impound such animals, even where the owner is known, whether they are on the public road or in any public park or open space which is owned or occupied by a local or a State authority. Local authorities were also given responsibility in the Act for ordering the sale, disposal or destruction of impounded animals where the owner is not known and also where the owner fails to pay the pound fees.