PRESS RELEASE: Revised Control of Horses Bye-Laws adopted for Kilkenny

Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council launching the Kilkenny County Council Animal Welfare Standards Booklet for Horses and Dogs. Also in photo Sean McKeown, Director of Services and Frank Stafford, Senior Engineer.

Kilkenny County Council today (March 2021) adopted new Control of Horses Bye-laws which will come into effect from 1^st May next.

Horse owners as before, excepting in limited circumstances, will be required to have a licence to keep a horse. This is to control the number of horses and prevent them causing a nuisance, annoyance or injury to the public or damage to property.

The new Bye-laws also update the provisions on how horses should be kept, stabled and cared for and the procedure for seizure of horses where they are not under adequate control.

The main new provision in the revised Bye-laws is the introduction of horse exclusion zones in identified areas in the central core of Kilkenny City, as a public safety and animal welfare measure.

The review of the Bye-laws was initiated following a notice of motion adopted by the elected members in February, 2018 calling on the Council to liaise with Gardai to explore the introduction of horse free zones in Kilkenny City. 

Following consultation with the Gardai, a list of 26 streets, laneways and public areas in the City Centre have been designated under the new Bye-laws as exclusion zones, including High Street, Parliament Street and John Street (map of streets available on the Council’s website).

The streets around the City core such as Dean Street and Green’s Bridge are not exclusion zones, so horse owners have alternative routes to get from one side of the City to the other.

The Gardai have confirmed support for the introduction of the exclusion zones. As part of the consultation process on the new Bye-laws, the Gardai reported a number of incidents where they had to respond to public safety, traffic and animal welfare concerns involving horses in the City Centre in the last 2 years. The issue of horse control generally and in particular the drafting of the new Bye-laws has also been a regular topic of discussion at Joint Policing Committee (JPC) Meetings in recent years.

The exclusion zones will not apply in a number of limited circumstances including: transportation of a horse by a vehicle through the streets listed; licenced operators of jaunting cars; and horse-drawn carriages carrying a casket as part of a funeral procession.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Chairman of Kilkenny County Council in welcoming the new Bye-laws stated:

“I am delighted that we have adopted these new Control of Horses Bye-laws following a review initiated by a notice of motion that I brought forward to the Council. I am especially pleased that the new Bye-laws provide for horse exclusion zones. The narrow streets and historic core of Kilkenny City is not conducive to horses and sulkies. They present a real risk to the public, to property and to the animals themselves, so it is appropriate that we are introducing these exclusion zones in the City core area.”

The Council now intend on engaging in an awareness creating initiative in the coming weeks to make horse owners in Kilkenny City aware of the introduction of the new Bye-laws and the horse exclusion zones from 1^st May. 

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, also launched the revised ‘Animal Welfare Standards for Dog and Horse Owners’ Booklet developed by the Council’s Animal Welfare Standards Committee.

The Committee is Chaired by Cllr. McGuinness and was established by the Council to advise and make recommendations to address issues relating to the welfare of dogs and horses.

The Standards Booklet provides advice and guidance on responsible dog and horse ownership. Launching the Booklet, Cllr McGuinness stated:

“Horses and dogs are living creatures and their owners must be responsible for ensuring their adequate care and welfare. There is an onus on the public to only keep animals they have suitable lands and facilities to provide for their welfare. I am pleased to launch the Council’s Standards Booklet today. It provides clear guidance on the basic freedoms that all animals should expect from their owners.”

Electronic copies of the booklet are available from the Council’s Environment Section: Tel: 056-7794470 or E-mail: environment@kilkennycoco.ie or you can download the booklet here: Kilkenny County Council Animal Welfare Standards