Article Index
Horses
Page 2

 
Stray Horses can be seized by South Dublin County Council under the Control of Horses Act 1996.

Some of the reasons for seizure are as follows:

1. If horses are found wandering on public land.
2. If horses are on private land without permission from the landowner.
3. If horses cause danger to property or persons.
4. If horses cause a nuisance.
5. If horses are stabled in a front or rear garden.
6. Unlicensed horses.
   

A horse includes donkey, mule and hinny.

Requirements for Horse Ownership:

Owners are required to possess a valid Horse Licence, which are available from South Dublin County Council at a cost of €30.00 per application. Ph: (01) 4149000.
Owners are required to possess a valid Horse Passport, which are available from the Irish Horse Board. Ph: (01) 5053584/045 854550

What happens when a horse has been seized?
Horses that have been seized are detained at the Council's Horse Pound in Urlingford, Co Kilkenny. A detailed description of the horse is taken and it is scanned for a microchip. If the horse does not have one a microchip is inserted. This is for identification purposes. The owner (if known) will be notified. Otherwise, a notice is displayed in a public place (usually a Garda Station) detailing the horse(s) seized and stating that if not claimed within 5 days the horses will be disposed of by sale at Urlingford Pound.

Release conditions for Impounded Horses:

Owners are required to produce a valid Horse Lience AND Horse Passport for each horse impounded including a letter from the landowner.
A release fee for each horse must be paid which is detailed as follows:

Transport of Horse to Pound:          €475.00
Horse Licence Application Fee:       € 30.00
Insertion of Microchip:                      € 44.26
Overnight charge per horse:            € 18.73

All charges are per horse and must be paid before the horse(s) are released.

To make a complaint or report stray horses:
Call into to South Dublin County Council's Head Office or contact the office by phoning (01) 4149000.

You may also e-mail cccounter@sdublincoco.ie or use our Online Customer Care Contact Form.
Information on Legislation:
Control of Horses Act, 1996

Contact:
Control of Horses Section,
Environmental Services Deptartment,
South Dublin County Council,
County Hall,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.
Telephone: (01) 4149000
E-Mail: cccounter@sdublincoco.ie

Keeping of Horses in a Declared Control Area

Where a horse is kept under a horse licence granted by the Council at a premises within the declared control area (that is, the functional area of the County of South Dublin, as outlined in Section 3 of the Bye-Laws) the following shall apply: