More than 300 stray horses were seized by local authorities across Ireland during an 18-month period, with the largest numbers recorded in Limerick and Dublin. The figures highlight the continuing challenges councils face in responding to unattended horses, enforcing animal-control laws and securing Garda support for some operations.
Key facts about the stray horse seizures
- Eight local authorities reported 311 horse seizures between January 2025 and June 2026.
- The seizures took place in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Galway.
- Twenty-nine horses, or about 9 per cent of those seized, were euthanised.
- Most of the remaining animals were reclaimed by owners, rehomed or transferred to animal-welfare organisations.
- Limerick recorded 96 seizures, while councils across Dublin accounted for a substantial share of the total.
Breaking News: Limerick and Dublin see highest numbers
Limerick City and County Council reported 96 seized horses during the period, including 70 in 2025. The council said stray horses remain a considerable challenge, particularly in urban areas of Limerick city.
About one-third of the horses seized in Limerick were Shetland ponies. The council said all of the animals in its figures were either reclaimed by their owners or rehomed.
The authority also said enforcement work can require Garda assistance because of previous resistance during seizure operations. Some interventions take place overnight or in the early morning, meaning the availability of Garda resources can affect how many operations can be carried out.
In Dublin, South Dublin County Council seized 46 horses during the 18 months, while Fingal County Council recorded 43. Dublin City Council seized 40, with nine seizures in 2025 and 31 during the first six months of 2026. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown reported seven horses, all of which were rehomed.
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Why seizure figures do not show the full scale of the problem
Limerick officials cautioned that a fall in completed seizures does not necessarily mean fewer stray horses are present. The council recorded around 200 seizures annually in both 2016 and 2018, compared with 70 in 2025.
According to the council, the more recent figure is also shaped by operational, legal and resource constraints. A seizure may require coordination between council staff, Gardaí, contractors, owners and animal-welfare services.
South Dublin County Council made a similar distinction. Its seizure total represents successful enforcement operations, not the total number of reports received or cases investigated involving horses left unattended on public land.
What happened to the horses?
The majority of horses seized were either collected by their owners or placed in new homes. Some were transferred to animal-welfare charities. However, 29 animals across the reporting councils were euthanised between January 2025 and June 2026.
Fingal recorded 16 euthanasias among 43 seizures, while Waterford City and County Council reported nine euthanasias from 36 seized horses. South Dublin recorded eight euthanasias from its total of 46.
The figures do not provide a single explanation for each euthanasia. They do show the difficult welfare decisions that can arise when local authorities take custody of animals found unattended or in unsafe conditions.
Horse seizures in Cork, Waterford and Galway
Cork County Council seized 41 horses during the period and said all were either rehomed or reclaimed. Cork City Council did not provide figures in response to the request for information.
Waterford reported 36 seizures, with the remainder, after nine euthanasias, rehomed or returned to owners. Galway recorded a much lower level of activity: Galway City Council and Galway County Council each reported one seized horse.
Galway City Council said stray horses were no longer a significant issue in the city. It added that engagement with owners can resolve many cases without seizure, which is treated as a last resort.
How Ireland’s horse-control system works
Local authorities use powers under the Control of Horses Act 1996 to address horses found straying or unattended in public places. Councils may investigate reports, identify owners, arrange seizure and organise temporary care or rehoming where necessary.
The process can be complicated by:
- difficulty identifying or contacting owners;
- the location and behaviour of the animals;
- the need for suitable transport and holding facilities;
- animal-welfare assessments;
- Garda support during potentially difficult operations; and
- legal and staffing limitations.
For residents, unattended horses can create road-safety risks, damage public spaces and raise immediate animal-welfare concerns. Reports should be directed to the relevant local authority, with emergency services contacted where an animal presents an immediate danger to road users or people.
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What happens next?
The latest figures are likely to keep attention focused on how councils resource horse-control enforcement and what support is available for animal welfare. Dublin City Council said its activity increased after appointing a new contractor to carry out enforcement under the 1996 Act.
Authorities will also need to balance enforcement with early engagement. Galway’s experience suggests that communication with owners can prevent some cases from escalating, while the figures from Limerick and Dublin show the scale of the problem in some urban communities.
Frequently asked questions
How many stray horses were seized?
Eight local authorities reported 311 seized horses between January 2025 and June 2026.
Where were most horses seized?
The highest numbers were recorded in Limerick and Dublin, with additional seizures reported in Cork, Waterford and Galway.
How many horses were euthanised?
Twenty-nine horses, equivalent to about 9 per cent of the total reported seizures, were euthanised.
Were the remaining horses returned to owners?
Many were reclaimed, while others were rehomed or transferred to animal-welfare charities.
Conclusion
The 311 reported seizures underline a persistent animal-welfare and public-safety issue in parts of Ireland. While most horses were returned or rehomed, the figures also reveal the practical pressures facing councils, contractors and Gardaí. For readers following Breaking News Ireland, the central message is clear: seizure totals reflect enforcement activity, but they do not necessarily represent every report or unattended horse in the community.
