Control of Horses Act, 1996

Horse licences.

20.—(1) Where a horse is to be kept in or brought into a control area a licence (“horse licence”) may be granted to the owner of the horse by—

(a) subject to subsection (10) (c), the local authority for the functional area in which the control area is situated entitling the owner to keep the horse in a control area within its functional area, or

(b) a local authority with whom arrangements have been entered into by another local authority under subsection (10) (a) entitling the owner to keep the horse in a control area within the functional area of the authority granting the licence and the control area or such part of it of that other authority to which those arrangements relate.

(2) A local authority may attach such terms and conditions as it considers necessary to a horse licence granted by it.

(3) A horse licence shall be in respect of a particular horse specified and identified in the licence.

(4) A horse licence shall be in such form as may be prescribed.

(5) A local authority shall not grant a horse licence to any person who—

(a) is under the age of 16 years, or

(b) is disqualified pursuant to section 7 from keeping a horse, or

(c) is, in the opinion of the local authority, unfit to keep a horse, or

(d) fails to satisfy it that the horse will be properly maintained.

(6) A horse licence shall be in force—

(a) for the period of 12 months stated in the licence and commencing on the date specified therein, or

(b) for such other period, as may from time to time be prescribed, stated in the licence and commencing on the date specified therein, or

(c) until, at any time during either of those periods, the holder of the licence ceases to own the horse to which the licence relates.

(7) A horse licence shall state the name of the holder of the licence and the address of the premises where the horse is ordinarily kept.

(8) A local authority may revoke or suspend a horse licence granted by it or amend any terms or conditions attached thereto where—

(a) the holder of the licence is convicted of an offence in relation to a horse, or

(b) the horse to which the licence relates is detained under section 37 (a) on two or more occasions while the licence is in force, or

(c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the holder of the licence is—

(i) not complying with any of the terms or conditions of the licence, or

(ii) abusing or not properly keeping, controlling or maintaining or causing injury or harm to any horse, or

(d) the holder of the licence has had a horse licence in respect of another horse revoked, suspended or amended.

(9) A local authority may transfer to another local authority information held by it in relation to any horse licence granted, revoked, suspended or amended by it or any application to it for a horse licence.

(10) (a) A local authority may enter into arrangements with another local authority in relation to the application for and the granting of horse licences on its behalf.

(b) The entering into of arrangements under this subsection or any termination thereof shall be a reserved function.

(c) A local authority which has entered into arrangements under this subsection with another local authority shall not grant a horse licence in respect of a horse to be kept in such part of its functional area to which the arrangements relate whilst those arrangements are in force.

(d) Where any arrangements entered into under this subsection are terminated any horse licence granted whilst the arrangements were in force shall continue to be in force in respect of the control area to which the licence relates.