Increase in number of horses seized in Laois last year

There were 20 horses seized in Laois in 2023 .

placeholder image — There were 20 horses seized in Laois in 2023 .

There were 20 horses seized by Laois County Council in 2023.

There was a thirty per cent rise in the number of horses seized by Laois County Council last year, according to new figures from the Department of Agriculture.

There were 20 animals seized in Laois in 2023 which is up from 15 horses seized by the local authority in 2022.

Since 2016 there have been 317 horses seized in the county for various reasons. Councils can act if horses are prohibited in certain areas, if there are issues with licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Control of Horses Act 1996.

These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.

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The figures were released following a parliamentary question by Limerick based TD Maurice Quinlivan.

Responding to the query Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said: "In dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation, the Department’s policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach. Authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified timeframe."