Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
700. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter (details supplied) under the Control of Horses Act 1996 will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Control of Horses Act, 1996 designates to local authorities responsibility for issues relating to stray and neglected horses in both urban and rural areas. My Department provides funding to the local authorities to assist in implementation of the Act namely, in seizing straying horses or horses causing a danger to persons or property. In 2017, an amount of €.533 m was paid to the local authorities throughout the country to help them in dealing with straying/abandoned horses in their respective areas. Separately, my Department also provides funding for the development of education and training programmes for horse owners including new structures to provide shelter for the urban horse population with the aim of reducing the number of straying animals and encouraging young people in the care and welfare of horses. My Department are also actively engaged alongside welfare organisations, the local authorities and An Garda Síochána in the Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group which will focus on equine issues arising in the greater Dublin area.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 includes provisions relating to animal welfare, prohibition on animal cruelty and abandonment of animals, including horses. It is an offence under that Act to abandon an animal and a person who abandons an animal is not relieved of responsibility for the welfare of that animal. A person who commits such an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine of €5,000 and/or up to six months in jail or both. For major cases taken on indictment, the maximum penalty is €250,000, with a maximum custodial sentence of five years imprisonment or both. Penalties imposed upon successful conviction vary at the discretion of the court, with the Act containing provisions that where an individual convicted of serious animal welfare offences may be banned by the courts from keeping animals, or indeed have the numbers of animals they may keep restricted. The provisions of the Act are enforced by Authorised officers of my Department, An Garda Síochána, officers of Customs & Excise and authorised officers of ISPCA and DSPCA and the Turf Club. To date these officers have initiated fifteen cases in relation to equine cruelty, of which seven have been successfully prosecuted and four are currently before the courts.
My Department continues to stress that it is the responsibility of horse owners to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. I would remind horse owners that the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) has advised that best practice for dealing with unwanted horses is that they should be sold or otherwise humanely disposed of, as such actions prevent the emergence of long-term animal welfare problems.
