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Home arrow News arrow Local News arrow Amnesty on horses to take effect this month
Amnesty on horses to take effect this month E-mail
Written by Rachael Finucane   
Wednesday, 03 February 2010
AN AMNESTY where horse owners can give up animals if they cannot or do not want to care for them will take place in the city on February 12. The initiative was suggested by city councillor, Maurice Quinlivan in early January as a creative solution to the growing problem and is part of a renewed effort by City Hall to deal with the issue. Commening on reports that the amnesty was to take effect this month, the Sinn Féin councillor said that he was “very pleased that the council is willing to try this scheme”. It is anticipated that the amnesty, aimed at removing unwanted horses from the City and ensuring that the animals receive appropriate care, will involve three collection points in Moyross, Southill and St Mary’s Park. Cllr Quinlivan told the Limerick Independent this Tuesday: “To try and contribute to solving the problem of horses illegally roaming around the city, I argued that it may be time to look at alternative ways to reduce the numbers of horses roaming the city. This amnesty has the potential to work,” he said. “I understand this Horsecare amnesty is being offered on a once off basis for those who are not in a position to humanely care for their horses. Whilst many horse owners do genuinely care for their horses, many are either incapable of looking after their horses or are indifferent to them. The local trade in horses has collapsed and prices are now at rock bottom, leaving many of these animals worthless. Horses cannot be sold and now many horseowners don’t have the ability to care for their horses properly.” Cllr Quinlivan said that many horses have been virtually abandoned with some “existing in terrible conditions”. “They are not being properly fed or cared for. In the appalling weather we have had recently, many horses are not properly stabled and have suffered in the sub zero weather. This scheme therefore has the potential to be a success and make an impact on the numbers of illegal horses in the city. I argued that we need to look at alternative methods of removing horses from the city streets. This is one such alternative and I welcome it very much.” The problem of wandering horses on city council green areas and in local estates saw 120 horses impounded by the council in 2009—six of which were re-homed and two returned to owners. The cost of seizing an illegally held animal is roughly €1,646 per horse—carried out by a specialist company from Cork—with all costs recouped from the Department of Agriculture.

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