Reclaim a Seized Horse

Dublin City Council provides a Control of Horses Service in order to address the problems arising from the practice of irresponsible horse ownership in the city.

Problems associated with keeping horses in the city include:

• Neglect and cruelty suffered by horses.
• Damage to public property, including parks, pitches and grass verges.
• Danger posed to public safety.
• General nuisance posed by presence of horses in public places.

When Can a Horse be Seized

Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, a horse may be seized and impounded if it meets any of the following criteria:

• It is stray.
• It is causing a nuisance.
• It is not under adequate control.
• It poses a danger to persons or property.
• It poses a threat to the health and welfare of a person or other animals.
• It is kept in a control area without a horse licence which entitles the horse to be kept in that area.
• It is not identifiable or capable of identification as may be required by Section 28 of the legislation.
• It is being kept, ridden, driven or located in an area contrary to any bye-laws made under section 47 of the legislation.

Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, Dublin City Council made its Control of Horses Bye-Laws, which took effect in 2014. These Bye-Laws provide for the control and licensing of horses in Dublin City Council’s administrative area. They also provide for the seizure and disposal of horses in breach of these bye laws.

The Animal Welfare Act

Horses can also be seized under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. If your horse is seized under this legislation, you cannot reclaim your horse until investigations are fully completed and due process is followed.

If your horse has been claimed under this legislation, all communications regarding the animal must be directed to the relevant agency, for example Dublin City Council's Animal Welfare Unit or An Garda Síochána.

How to Reclaim a Horse

Horses seized for offences under the Control of Horses Act or Dublin City Council’s Control of Horses Bye-Laws are transported to Dublin City Council’s officially designated pound.

Here, a detailed description of the horse is taken and it is scanned for a microchip. If the horse does not have a microchip, one is inserted. A vet will then issue any treatment deemed necessary.

To reclaim a horse, you must meet a number of conditions. You must:

• Produce a horse passport and all relevant documentation required.
• Complete the below application form for the release of a seized horse.
• Complete the below affidavit and sign it in front of a Commissioner for Oaths.
• Pay any associated fees.

Fees Associated with Reclaiming a Horse

Dublin City Council’s Control of Horses Bye-Laws state: "The City Council may recover from the owner or the keeper of the horse all fees payable in respect of the horse, including fees for keep, veterinary fees and transportation fees incurred by the Council".

These fees are based on the cost per horse to Dublin City Council of providing this service annually and are reviewed on a yearly basis.

The current cost of reclaiming a horse is €700 per horse, plus an additional €20 per night per horse for horses held over the statutory five-day period.

List of Seized Horses with Unknown Owners

Notice is hereby given under Bye-Law 9(b) of the Dublin City Council Control of Horses Bye Laws 2014 that the horses described below have been seized and detained, but their owners or keepers are not known:

Contact the Animal Welfare Unit

If you have any queries about reclaiming a horse or if you wish to report a stray or distressed horse, please contact the Animal Welfare Unit using the details below. Our phone line is open 9am-5pm on weekdays and from 11am-3pm on weekends.