THE high costs of keeping seized equines for prolonged periods in cases where court proceedings are pending was raised in the Senate and an undertaken given that the issue would be brought to the attention of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Senator Lynn Boylan (SF) highlighted the need to look again at Section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, pointing to enormous costs of €350,000 to equine welfare organisations, in one pending legal case involving 35 emaciated thoroughbred horses.

“When things go wrong in the industry, it is the welfare organisations that must pick up the slack and clean up the mess left by the rogue operators. The bare minimum we should do is ensure that horses are re-homed as soon as possible and that people who engage in animal cruelty are not allowed to obfuscate and cause obstruction in the justice system. Section 38 is the key issue.

“In the case of horses, not a single case has been taken by any local authority under section 38A to recoup the costs incurred but not paid for homing any animal seized under section 38. I have confirmation of this from the Department. This is the nub of the problem. People who want to obstruct the course of justice are deliberately delaying court proceedings so these animals cannot be re-homed and the organisations looking after them are footing the bill. This is why it is section 38 that needs to be reformed. The control of dogs steering group report is an opportunity to address both of the gaps on horses and dogs,” said Senator Boylan.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell, representing the DAFM, said the Act was under “constant review” and that “provision for the seizure, detention and disposal of animals, including for re-homing, will be considered.”

“Senator Boylan has spoken about the recoupment of costs. The steering group is up and running and I will ask the Department to look at it. The substance of what Senator Boylan is saying is that she wants section 38 examined to see whether we can find a mechanism whereby horses can be re-homed quickly. This is the essence of the matter. I will take it up with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister,” pledged Deputy O’Donnell.

Horses seized

Meanwhile, the Criminal Assets Bureau rescued 100 neglected horses from stud farms in Meath and Dublin in an operation involving over 100 officers. Four horses had to be put down by vets while 23 were impounded by the DAFM and five were seized under the animal health and welfare legislation. Cash of €187,000, tobacco worth €500,000 was also seized in the raids targetting 13 properties. Many of the horses were kept at the two stud farms by private owners, including sulky racing enthusiasts.