Horses face disposal as seizure rates in Limerick rise
SINCE January 1, Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) have seized and detained dozens of horses within the city and county leaving the unclaimed animals at risk of disposal.
The latest seizure occurred in Coonagh on August 17, where a white and brown male foal was detained under the Control of Horses Act 1996 and the Limerick City and County Council (Control of Horses) Bye-Laws 2017.
The horse, found straying on public lands in Coonagh, was held in the pound for a five-day period, allowing the owner or keeper time to claim the animal.
It has been reported by LCCC that the owner failed to come forward within this timeframe.
The foal, which was found to be in poor condition at the time of the seizure, received treatment from the pound veterinary surgeon, and as of last Thursday, had been cleared for disposal by way of rehoming to a horse charity.
Countywide, the council have reported the seizure and detainment of 10 horses from May 18, to August 24, and a total of 52 horses since January 1 to August 24.
As for the disposal policy held by the council, a spokesperson for LCCC said: “Since January 2019, the policy is to dispose of all unclaimed horses by way of rehoming to horse charities outside Limerick.
“The extremely rare exception is where the pound veterinary surgeon deems a horse should be euthanised on welfare grounds.”