Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a robust and wide ranging protection for all animals. This includes horses and ponies used in road racing. Horse owners or keepers who allow harm to come to the animals in their care will have committed an offence under this Act. The relevant road traffic legislation is also applicable to all road users.

The issue of regulating sulky racing has been examined by my Department and the issues are complex and not always clear cut, particularly as a variety of horse drawn vehicles are legitimately and safely used on Irish roads. The approach being taken by my Department is to raise awareness of the importance of good horse welfare amongst sulky participants and the owners and keepers of trotting horses.

My Department has recently awarded a tender to operate an education programme that has been designed specifically for sulky drivers and trotter horse owners in a number of locations around the country. This course will encourage participants to move away from road racing practices and move to racing on tracks and to engage with the regulated sport of harness racing on tracks, as operated by the Irish Harness Racing Association. The course provider has a clear understanding of the cultural sensitivities surrounding participation in road racing. Meeting these goals will be underpinned by the relevant experience of both the course provider and the team of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses that will deliver the course. The course will be offered to persons involved in trotting and sulky racing on the road. The first course will commence in the Dublin region in the coming weeks.

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