Animal charity calls for ban of sulky horse activity on public roads

Sarah Slater

A national animal charity wants “urgent action” to legally ban sulky horse activity on public roads.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is warning that horses should not be placed in “dangerous situations” on busy roads. The society has also launched a petition urging the Government to act.

Almost 9,000 people have already backed the campaign. A national protest rally was held in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, last month following the death of a horse in the town after it collided with a car.

The NSPCA wants the move to prevent further “avoidable tragedies and ensure stronger protections for horses and the public”.

The society is calling on the Departments of Transport and Agriculture to introduce a legal prohibition on sulky horse activity on public roads, including racing, training, and high-speed driving.

They are also looking for a coordinated multi-agency approach involving the Departments of Justice, Agriculture, Transport and Rural and Community Development, together with local authorities, An Garda Síochána, and the NSPCA itself.

Director of advocacy at the NSPCA, Conor Dowling, added that recent incidents have highlighted “serious” animal welfare concerns.

“Strengthen enforcement powers and provide Gardaí with additional resources and training, develop a Digital Evidence Management System and an online reporting portal for video evidence submissions to An Garda Síochána relating to incidents involving horses and sulkies on public roads (is needed),” a society spokesperson continued.

“(Also needed is the) provision of adequate animal welfare supports, facilities, and resources for the safe handling, rehabilitation, rehoming, or seizure of horses where necessary, including support measures for situations where owners may no longer wish or be able to keep their horses.”

The society believes that public roads are simply not safe environments for horses pulling sulkies at high speeds.

Recent incidents across Ireland have highlighted the serious dangers associated with horses and sulkies on public roads, including collisions causing severe injuries and fatalities.

“Horses can become easily distressed by traffic, noise, and crowds, creating significant risks for the animals involved, road users, and local communities.

"Horses are sensitive animals, and forcing them to race or train on hard roads surrounded by traffic puts enormous strain on their bodies and creates risks that can end in tragedy within seconds,” the spokesperson noted.

The petition will be supported by elected representatives and delivered to relevant Ministers to help drive political discussion and legislative action on the issue.