WITH at least 1,431 wandering or stray horses seized in Limerick City since 2015 in the past 10 years, one Limerick representative has definitively told the Dáil that the failure to address this issue of abandoned horses on Shannonside must end.
That comes from Limerick Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, who invoked the memory of former Limerick Labour TD Mick Lipper, who raised the issue of wandering horses and asked what actions the then Minister for Justice would take regarding serious problems created by them far back in December 1977.
“Here we are, 47 years later, talking about the same problems,” Deputy Quinlivan said.
“At least 1,431 wandering or stray horses have been collected in Limerick City since 2015. Unfortunately, most seized before 2019 ended up being euthanised. Horses collected since then have been re-homed by horse welfare charities, putting huge pressure on them.
“This matter is a waste of Garda and Council resources, as well as time and money. From a response I received from the Department of Agriculture to a previous parliamentary question, I am aware the Department has contributed millions to local authorities in respect of activities regarding the control of horses,” he added.
Deputy Quinlivan went on to say that the keeping of ponies and horses has long been a tradition in many parts of Limerick. It is a tradition, he continued, that has been passed down through generations of families, and, in a number of cases, the animals are well maintained and cared for.
“Recently, I met experienced horse owners in Limerick and heard they are embarrassed about and utterly fed up with the state of so many horses and the poor way in which so many of them are cared for,” he told the Dáil chamber.
“In recent weeks, we have seen carcasses of dead horses in areas across the city. Some horses are often left in a distressed or abandoned state. I was recently made aware of children who could not go to school as there was a horse in their front garden. Can you imagine your child not being able to go to school because of such a blockade outside your home?”
The Limerick politician called time on the failure to address this issue.
“It must end. It is simply unfair on the animals, local communities who witness the abuse and neglect regularly, and animal welfare organisations and their volunteers,” he said.
In response, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Michael Healy-Rae thanked Deputy Quinlivan for raising the matter before the Dáil.
“I know about the matter at first hand because I have family members living in the city and am there a lot. What is going on is a disgrace,” Minister Healy-Rae said.
“Neglecting or causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is totally unacceptable in our society. The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine is fully committed to the ongoing promotion and enforcement of high animal welfare standards.
“The Department continues to enforce the law in this important area and works very closely with An Garda Síochána, the customs service, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,” he concluded.
