Limerick election candidate suggests ‘exams’ to obtain a horse licence

FINE Gael local election candidate, Leo Walsh believes the lack of attention on animal welfare, both at local and national level, is “extremely worrying”.  And he has come up with a novel suggestion to cut back on the high and increasing instances of animal cruelty: animal welfare exams similar to a driving licence test.

His suggestion comes in the aftermath of the death of the dog named Hope, which was highlighted in the Limerick Leader. Unfortunately, said Mr Walsh, such acts of animal cruelty are “all too common nowadays”.

“However, it’s not just dogs that are affected,” continued Mr Walsh, a former councillor and president of the Limerick Show Society. “ In 2018, over 120 horses were seized by Limerick City & County Council due to unfit living conditions. It’s estimated that almost 90% of these horses were euthanised which puts significant financial pressure on local authorities.”

“We need to start asking ourselves why is this number so high and how can we reduce the number of animal seizures whilst also ensuring animal safety’, he added, expressing his belief that organisations  such as Horse Sport Ireland should be engaged “to help solve the epidemic”. 

Horse Sport Ireland has detailed guidelines on care of horses, Mr Walsh said but how many horse owners actually read this? “Maybe it’s time we look at including animal welfare exams for all horse license owners, similar to the exam you face when applying for your driver’s license,” he  suggested.

There is a need for more collaboration between animal owners, the council and all the  voluntary animal welfare organisations, Mr Walsh said, and  more public funding for voluntary organisations. 

He has called for a policy to be developed on animal abuse.

 “There needs to be a clear and concise process in place whereby members of the public can report cases of abuse directly to the local council,” he said.