WHERE horses can be driven, ridden or graze publicly and how local authorities deal with distressed or stray horses were among the topics discussed at a meeting of the Oireachtas Equine Welfare committee on Wednesday, May 1st.

John Condon, Director of Services in Mayo County Council for Water Services, Environment, Climate Change and Agriculture, Emergency Services and Elections appeared on behalf of the City and County Management Association (CCMA), having been invited to set out the CCMA’s position on the review of the Control of Horses Act 1996, which the committee is undertaking at the moment.

Mr Condon told the committee the CCMA had made a submission last year, setting out their views on the review of the legislation. The main points made were that the CCMA think time limits and the types of notices served following the impoundment and disposal of horses should be standardised in the primary legislation; they are currently covered by bylaws made by each local authority and, as such, there is much variation. If this was in primary legislation, there would be consistency throughout the state.

Mr Condon also said local authority vets should have more discretion when they find a distressed horse, with a view to having it rehomed. The current processes and time limits may lead to the horse ‘getting worse’ before the local authority gets control of it.

The CCMA also believes that, where a horse has been detained multiple times, the time limits should be shortened, as ‘serial offenders’ are able to play the system, which frustrates the enforcement of the legislation.

Mr Condon went on to state that the CCMA believes the ability of local authorities to make bylaws to have exclusion areas, where horses cannot be brought, should be maintained. He stated that the legislation should have a general prohibition on grazing in public areas, which would make enforcement easier.

He went on: “It is also the CCMA’s view that there should be a general prohibition on riding or driving horses in public areas, that could be roads or streets.”

The CCMA also thinks there should be a centralised equine database; Mr Condon explained that, while horses are meant to be microchipped, they may be registered on different databases, where instead there should be one centralised database. He said this would improve traceability and the enforcement of the legislation.

Proper premises

The CCMA’s final suggestion is that there should be a regime for inspecting equine premises.

Mr Condon said: “In order to own a horse, you should have sufficient land and proper premises to accommodate the horse, otherwise there’s a risk of cruelty, there’s a risk of abuse and nuisance to people, neighbours and so on.

“There is no regime at the moment for checking that the owner, who applies for a licence, has adequate premises and facilities and we think that any review of the legislation should provide for that.”

Members of the committee asked questions, including in relation to the point about prohibition of horses being ridden or driven on the roads, as to whether those concerned would then need to have a licence or seek permission to be on the road.

Mr Condon responded that individual local authorities could designate various roads or streets where horses could be ridden or driven.

Various other questions were asked in relation to spot checks being done to check if horses are microchipped. The cost of dealing with stray horses was also discussed.

In closing the chairman, Jackie Cahill TD (Fianna Fail, Tipperary), stated that questions arising from the day will need to be put to the Department of Agriculture.