Point 13 - SEIZURE AND DETENTION

Where a horse is seized and detained within the control area, pursuant to Section 37 of the Act, the following provisions shall apply;

  1. Notice of the seizure and detention of the horse, as set out in Form 1 of Schedule A, or such similar form as the Council may from time to time decide, shall be served in writing on the owner or keeper of the horse, where known and can be found within five days
  2. Where the owner or keeper of the horse is not known, notice of the seizure and detention of the horse, as set out in Form 2 of Schedule A or such similar form as the Council may from time to time decide, shall be displayed in the office of An Garda Siochána, Mill Street Garda Station, Mill Street, Galway and at Galway City Council, College Road, Galway, and on the Council’s website, galwaycity.ie.
  3. Appropriate services of a Veterinary Practitioner, where required, may be provided.
  4. The Council or Superintendent may recover from the owner or keeper of the horse all pound fees payable in respect of the horse(s), together with all or any other costs and expenses, including fees for seizure, detention, keep, maintenance, care, sustenance, disposal, veterinary fees, microchipping, transportation and administration fees incurred by the Council or the Superintendent.
  5. Subject to Section 39 (1) (a), (b) and (c), Section 39 (5) and Section 40 of the Act, a horse seized under Section 37 of the Act may be released to the owner or keeper of the horse upon provision of the following to the Council;
    1. Proof of identification of owner or keeper by passport, driver’s licence or other form of legitimate official photographic identification which the Council in its absolute discretion deems to be acceptable
    2. Proof of ownership of the horse
    3. The passport of the horse or proof of a current completed application
    4. Proof of entry on the Register of Horse Premises of the premises where the horse is to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Control of Places where Horses are Kept Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 113 of 2014)
    5. A horse licence for the time being in force granted by the Council if the horse is kept in the control area or by another local authority if the horse is proposed to be kept in the control area of that local authority
    6. Evidence that the horse is microchipped and registered in accordance with the provisions of the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2014
    7. Payment of all fees due to the local authority arising from the seizure and detention of the horse demanded pursuant to the provisions of these Bye-Laws
    8. Documentary evidence that the owner or keeper is the owner of land adequate to maintain the horse, or if renting, providing evidence of rental agreement for a period of not less than eleven (11) months signed by the land owner and giving permission for the horse to be kept at their property
  6. If the owner or the keeper of the horse shall fail to make himself/herself known to the Council or cannot be found within a period of five days from the date of seizure and detention the Council or the Superintendent may dispose of the horse in accordance with these Bye-Laws and Act.
  7. If the owner or the keeper of the horse is known and can be found within five days of the date of seizure and detention of the horse but on request by the Council or the Superintendent or the person in charge of the place where the horse is kept, within five days of the notice provided for under Bye-Law 14 (1) being served upon him (excluding the date of service) fails to provide to the Council;
    1. Proof of identification of owner or keeper by passport, driver’s licence or other form of legitimate official photographic identification which the Council in its absolute discretion deems to be acceptable
    2. Proof of ownership of the horse
    3. The passport of the horse or proof of a current completed application
    4. Proof of entry on the Register of Horse Premises of the premises where the horse is to be kept, in accordance with the provisions of the Control of Places where Horses are Kept Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 113 of 2014)
    5. A horse licence for the time being in force granted by the Council if the horse is kept in the control area or by another local authority if the horse is proposed to be kept in the control area of that local authority
    6. Evidence that the horse is microchipped and registered in accordance with the provisions of the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2014
    7. Payment of all fees due to the local authority arising from the seizure and detention of the horse demanded pursuant to the provisions of these Bye-Laws
    8. Documentary evidence that the owner or keeper is the owner of land adequate to maintain the horse, or if renting, providing evidence of rental agreement for a period of not less than eleven (11) months signed by the land owner and giving permission for the horse to be kept at their property
    Or thereafter fails to remove the horse upon request if the Council, the Council or the Superintendent may dispose of the horse in accordance with these Bye-Laws and the provisions of the Act.