Control of Horses Act, 1996

Forfeiture of horse.

8.—(1) On conviction for an offence under this Act the court may on application to it order the forfeiture to the local authority which prosecuted the offence or in whose functional area the offence was committed of any horse to which the offence relates and which is owned by the person convicted or where the court is satisfied that the owner is unknown or cannot be found where it considers it appropriate having regard to the welfare and interests of the horse and the fitness of that person to own a horse.

(2) Whenever an order is made under this section, an authorised person of the local authority referred to in subsection (1), may for the purpose of giving effect thereto—

(a) seize and detain the horse concerned where it has not already been seized and detained under section 37 , and

(b) do such other things as are authorised by the order or are necessary for the purpose aforesaid.

(3) A local authority referred to in subsection (1) may deal with or dispose of any horse so forfeited as it sees fit.