Control of Horses Act, 1996.

Part I mainly concerns offences and powers of authorized persons. Horses may be seized or forfeited under section 8. Part II provides for the licensing of horses in control areas, being areas which a local authority may by bye-laws declare all or any part to be a control area where it is satisfied that horses in that area should be licensed having regard to the need to control the keeping of horses (sect. 17). Subject to section 19, a person who owns a horse which is kept by him or her or on his or her behalf in a control area shall, unless he or she holds a horse licence in respect of the horse, entitling that owner to keep the horse in the control area, be guilty of an offence. Where a horse is to be kept in or brought into a control area a licence may be granted to the owner of the horse (sect. 20). Each local authority shall cause to be established and maintained a register of all horse licences granted by it (sect. 24). Part III provides for the control of horses, including their inspection and examination. Part III contains also some rules regarding the protection of animals.