If you are concerned in relation to the well being of a horse, or wish to report a stray horse please contact Dublin City Council at (01) 2223201, Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996 and Control of Horses Bye-Laws 1997, Dublin City Council can seize the following animals horses, donkey, mules, hinnies or ponies.
Breaches of the Control of Horses Act and Bye-Laws can result in a horse being seized.
To read the Control of Horses Bye Laws 2010 please click here
Control of Horses Bye laws
Dublin Council adopted new Control of Horses Bye-Laws under the Control of Horses Act 1996, at its meeting of 1st February 2010. The new Bye Laws take effect from 1st March 2010. The new Bye-Laws provide for the control and licensing of horses in Dublin City Council’s administrative area and also provide for the seizure and disposal of horses in breach of the bye laws.
The main reasons for seizure are as follows:
1. If a horse is tied, stabled or wandering on public land.
2. If horses are kept on private land without permission from the landowner.
3. If horses are a danger to persons or property.
4. If a horse is controlled by someone under the age of 16.
5. If horses are stabled in a front or rear garden of a house.
6. If a horse is under ineffectual control in public areas.
Process Of Horse Seizure:
Horses that have been seized are transported to the pound in Kilkenny, where upon arrival they are subject to a veterinary inspection. A detailed description of the horse is taken and it is also scanned for a microchip. The vet issues any treatment deemed necessary. If the horse does not have a microchip, one is inserted.
Horse Reclaim Conditions:
Individuals, who want to reclaim their horse, must produce a horse passport and all the relevant documentation that is required before their horse will be released. The following charges must also be paid:
1. Seizure Costs €375
2. Transportation to the pound €300
3. Pound Fees €25 (per horse per night)
4. Micro Chip & Vet Fees €51
5. Provision of pound facility
(Cost to Dublin City Council for pound service
in Kilkenny) €340
6. Administration Fee €125
Horse Ownership Responsibilities:
Individuals may only have ownership of a horse in the Dublin City Council area, if the individual is in possession of a horse licence. This ensures adequate facilities and permission from a landowner for the safe keeping of the horse, which is passed by inspection from our Veterinary Section. A licence can be obtained from Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Block 4 Ground Floor, Wood Quay, D8 phone (01) 2223201. The licence costs €31.74.
EU legislation dictates that all horse owners must be in possession of a horse passport to identify themselves as the owner of the animal and to have a detailed description of your animal including the microchip number. This can be obtained from the Irish Horse Board. Phone (01) 5053584.