Wild horse numbers falling, claims report

THE number of uncontrolled horses has dramatically fallen, it was revealed yesterday.

According to local authorities, the number of roaming horses fell from 4,108 in 1997 to 1,443 last year.

Equine projects such as stabling have been developed in some areas to address the public risk issues posed by the horses. The Control of Horses Act 1996 has allowed local authorities to adopt control measures to tackle problems arising from horses kept in unsuitable conditions.

Measures include the provision of designated control areas, the licensing and identification of horses, their seizure and detention, the use of pounds and the prosecution of offenders.

Some €9.9 million has been provided by the Department of Agriculture and Food to local authorities since 1997 for enforcement activities. The greater Dublin area accounted for 2,572 horses in 1997.

Minister of State Liam Aylward, who visited the Fettercairn equine project yesterday, said there is tangible evidence the act was achieving its primary objectives of reducing the numbers of wandering horses.

Three equine projects are located at Cherry Orchard, Fettercairn and Quarryvale and two feasibility studies for other potential projects in Dublin and Kilkenny have received grants.