Longford people urged to sign petition backing legal ban on sulky road-racing
The NSPCA petition - available on uplift.ie - also highlights the need for adequate animal welfare supports, including facilities for the seizure, rehabilitation or rehoming of horses where required.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) is today urging the people of Longford to sign a petition that calls for a legal ban on activity surrounding sulky horse racing activity on public roads, amid concerns over animal welfare and road safety.
The petition, available on Uplift.ie, calls on the Irish Government to introduce legislation that will prohibit sulky racing, training and high-speed driving on public roads.
Other proposals within the petition include strengthening enforcement powers for Gardaí with regard to sulky activity, improving resources and training, and establishing a digital evidence system and online reporting portal for incidents involving horses and sulkies.
The petition also highlights the need for adequate animal welfare supports, including facilities for the seizure, rehabilitation or rehoming of horses where required.
The risks posed to both horses and the public are becoming impossible to ignore. Recent incidents involving horses and sulkies on public roads have once again highlighted serious concerns relating to animal welfare and road safety. The current legal position continues to create difficulties around enforcement and accountability. Horses should not be placed in dangerous situations on busy public roads, and communities should not have to continue facing the public safety risks associated with this activity.
Political officer with the NSPCA Claire Owens added, “we are asking the Government to take urgent action.”
“Our ‘Keep Sulky Horse Activity Off Irish Public Roads’ petition has attracted more than 8,000 signatures to date and we expect the total number to exceed 10,000, indicating strong support among the public for a legal ban.”
“We urge people in Longford to add their signature to it now.”
The petition, which is under the name Keep Sulky Horse Activity Off Irish Public Roads, can be viewed and signed here.