Horse drawn carriages should be banned from all national primary and secondary roads, as should the racing of horse drawn vehicles in County Galway.
This is the view of Independent Galway County Councillor, and Cathaoirleach of the Galway County Council, James Charity. His call comes as new revised bye laws under consideration by the Strategic Policy Committee of Galway County Council.
Cllr Charity is calling for Horse Exclusion Zones, “despite any objection by council officials”. The Oranmore based councillor has alleged that there are a number of “ incident blackspots” around the county “where repeated animal cruelty and public safety issues arise with horses”.
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According to Cllr Charity [pictured above], there have been instances of horses being held in unfenced fields adjacent to public roads, on known flood plains, and in some cases on public lands with “little to no fodder”.
As a result, Cllr Charity is supporting a number of measures currently being considered as part of “a much more robust” set of bye laws: introduction of a requirement to hold a licence for a horse in County Galway, with licences would be refused to those who have previously breached the bye laws or are deemed unfit to hold a licence.
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A ban on horse drawn carriages on all national primary and secondary roads, unless authorised in writing by the local authority; and an outright ban on the racing of horse drawn vehicles in County Galway and any ancillary participation in such races.
Section 47 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 permits councillors to designate specific exclusion zones in the county where holding horses would be banned, and Cllr Charity is calling on council officials to implement these existing laws.
