Written answer
Animal Welfare
Local authorities can seize straying horses; identification breaches are generally addressed proportionately, and 2026 seizure figures available cover January–June.
378. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times local authorities attempted to or were successful in seizing and impounded horses for trespass and for non-compliance with chipping law and regulation, by each county in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75043/26]
Comment on this
379. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were seized and or impounded for trespass and for non-compliance with chipping law and regulation, by each county in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75042/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
Under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.
In dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation, my Department’s policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach. Authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified time frame.
My Department provides financial support to help local authorities with these seizures. Figures with respect to the number of animals involved are outlined in the table below. The figures for 2026 are still being finalised and the only data currently available is for the period January – June 2026. Detailed information in relation to all seizures rest with the local authorities.
number of animals seized 2024-2026