Call to stop horses being abandoned on Kildare Co Council lands

Councillor Teresa Murray has called for a clampdown on animals being abandoned on Council lands.

The local politician asked on Kildare Co Council indicate what steps are taken to minimise animal abandonment on Council lands in the Maynooth Municipal District.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2013, it's illegal for the owner of an animal to abandon it or leave it unattended.

The Control of Horses Act 1996 gives powers to local authorities to control stray and abandoned horses.

Under the Act, the Agriculture Minister may offer financial assistance towards the expenses incurred by the local authorities in operating under the power.

In 2016, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provided funding of €725,000 to local authorities towards expenses incurred by them under the Act.

According to the Irish Field, of 1,177 horses and ponies seized in the State in 2017 only a fraction – less than 10% – were reclaimed by their owners.

The cost to local authorities and the Department of Agriculture to deal with unwanted horses and ponies seized under the Control of Horses Act stands at €4.5 million from 2014 to 2017.