CALLS FOR AREA RESTRICTION ON SULKY RACING

Date Published: 18-Sep-2012

A Galway County Councillor is proposing that sulky racing be confined to specific areas.

Councillor Jim Cuddy told a meeting of the County Joint Policing Committee that racing the horse drawn carriages along the Headford road is posing a real danger to motorists.

He added that in some cases, animal welfare came into question, where horses are being forced to run at high speed alongside a convoy of vans or cars.

County Council Veterinary Officer James Casey told the meeting there were some areas prone to sulky racing, and it could be considered to review legislation which could exclude horses from some areas.

He also said that a new animal welfare bill was currently making its way through the houses of the Oireachtas.

The issue of loose horses on the Headford road area was also raised by Councillors at the meeting.

And Garda Chief Superintendent Micheal O’ Sullivan said people should not be in any doubt that prosecutions will be made where laws are breached.