Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This sounds very good on paper but the reality is different. We have appalling cases of horse abuse. Last Thursday, a number of animal welfare groups came together outside Leinster House under the banner of action for animal welfare. We heard case after case of abuse these groups know about. They are picking up the pieces because the Animal Health and Welfare Act is not being enforced adequately. Despite what the Minister says, local authorities, which are funded by the Government, are not enforcing the Control of Horses Act. They just impound and kill animals or remove dead animals. In the past 11 months, Tipperary County Council has spent €155,800 on removing dead horses. We have dog wardens and litter wardens so could the Department not give the lead with the local authorities? It could even produce a pilot scheme. We know where the black spots are. The local authorities could work with the owners before the abuse starts. They could work on things like the care of animals, including worming and foot care. We could also ensure that horses, ponies and donkeys are micro-chipped, registered and kept in proper equine-registered properties with equine space. A horse warden could have a lorry that could impound animals on the spot with Garda protection if this is necessary, because we know it has been necessary in places, so that we do not have the cases of starving animals with appalling illnesses that we hear about every day.

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