MY Lovely Horse Animal Rescue (MLHAR) has made a number of bold suggestions to members of Dáil Eireann, including the inception of an animal crime unit within An Garda Síochána.

Addressing a joint committee meeting on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Dáil Eireann on Wednesday evening were MLHAR joint-founder Martina Kenny and volunteer Maddie Doyle, who spoke about the challenges the rescue organisation faces.

One of these was lack of follow through on Garda prosecutions in cruelty cases, which they believe could be aided with a unit comprising specially trained Gardaí. Traceability and post-career care were also major topics addressed by Kenny and Doyle.

Set up in 2011, the charity has grown hugely with over 700 animals in its care (300 equines) and outgoings of over €1million, despite getting just €54,000 in departmental funding.

“Our concern lies with protection of our nation’s horses from suffering, neglect and abuse,” Kenny said in her opening statement.

“For the industries that profit from equines, this must mean more investment in welfare and meaningful rehomimg programmes. Proper enforcement of the welfare legislation and the resources necessary to allow this to happen. We must move beyond the idea of slaughter as a convenient, more cost effective way to address those unwanted horses.”

Prosecution

With regard to prosecution, Kenny explained that animal cruelty investigation is diverse, risky and challenging work.

“Currently, members of An Garda Síochána, on the normal regular units do not have the time, available resources or sometimes don’t prioritise animal welfare crimes,” she said.

“We believe the creation of a dedicated animal crime unit within An Garda Síochána is well overdue. There are already Gardaí, who have extensive knowledge to deal with complex animal cruelty cases. We work closely with Gardai from different divisions, as we currently have animals in our care, who are part of ongoing animal cruelty investigations.

“We assist these Gardaí to build the best case possible by housing and caring for the animals for extended periods of time, ensuring that vet and farrier reports are provided and being available for advice or court appearances if required. This is an expensive process for us, but we are passionate about working with the Gardaí to encourage increased successful animal welfare prosecutions.

“The time is now to build an effective, accountable, well-coordinated and properly resourced model for animal welfare. Assigning an animal crime unit as the first responder for serious animal welfare investigations, would maximise resources and efficiency and lessen demands on the other Gardaí. This unit would also be available to travel, assist and advise their colleagues in other counties to bring forth more successful animal welfare prosecutions.

“We are asking for a pilot scheme of three gardaí, who pursue prosecutions, it would save a huge amount of time and energy and would be more effective - it would make people sit up and listen that, if you do this, you will be prosecuted.”

New body

The MLHAR representatives said they would also like to see the establishment of a dedicated authority separate from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to oversee welfare and enforcement of welfare legislation.

“The primary mission of the Department of Agriculture is to enhance agricultural productivity, support farmers, and ensure food security. While these goals are essential, they can sometimes conflict with the equally important need for humane treatment of animals. Practices like factory farming and intensive confinement, often justified in terms of efficiency, can have detrimental effects on animal welfare,” Kenny said.

“Establishing a separate entity dedicated solely to animal welfare could significantly enhance how we address the evolving needs of animal protection. This separation would foster transparency, align more closely with public expectations, and uphold ethical standards without being overshadowed by agricultural priorities.”

Traceability

In relation to identification and traceability, Kenny said she was very concerned over the insertion of additional chips, as well as low compliance in change of ownership requirements. “With the onus on buyers to complete change of ownership papers, it appears many neglect to do so, change of ownership should be the responsibility of the previous owner and, because this is not the case, it causes huge problems, especially in the area securing prosecutions in cruelty cases.”

A centralised European database for equine ID was also discussed with meeting chairman Senator Tim Lombard saying the fact one didn’t already exist was ‘totally bizarre’. “With regard to bovines, in 1996 we put a traceability scheme in place in months - every bovine was tagged - so how have we failed? I am perturbed by the lack of movement on a database,” he said.

“I believe one entity with control of a national database would be controversial but appropriate.”