ABC Council have responded to the death of a horse in Gilford and rescue of two others last month.
News broke that a horse had passed away on October 26 near the site of Gilford’s Old Mill.
However, residents contacted Armagh I shortly afterwards to air their concerns for council’s procedure, given that reports for the horses’ welfare had been made since the end of August.
One resident claimed to have watched the horses eating bark from trees and “wasting away” before their eyes over the months that they were left on “waste ground” with apparently no access to shelter, food or water.
Upon receipt of this information, this publication contacted ABC Council seeking complete transparency on their Animal Welfare policy and for a statement on their handling of the situation.
A spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has now responded to the request, stating: “Council recognises the public’s concern surrounding this case and is saddened by the death of one horse.
“We wish to reassure the public that all reports relating to animal welfare are reviewed, prioritised and followed up, with appropriate action taken in accordance with animal welfare legislation.
“Following concerns about the welfare of the horses Council officers undertook a number of site visits to seek to assess and monitor the animals’ welfare and maintained contact with the individual understood to be responsible for their care.
“During the site visit on October 21, a Council officer observed that the welfare needs of the horses were not being adequately met.
“Arrangements were immediately made for a vet to assess the horses in accordance with the requirements of the Welfare of Animals Act. Following that assessment on October 23, the vet certified that they should be taken into Council possession.
“Council then commenced the necessary legal and operational arrangements to ensure the animals could be safely removed into its care at the earliest opportunity in accordance with the relevant legislative process.
“Two horses were taken into Council possession on October 26, 2026 and are receiving appropriate care whilst the investigative process continues. One horse was found deceased and arrangements were subsequently made for its removal on the first available date, October 27, 2026.
“When dealing with animal welfare concerns, Council considers the information and evidence available at the time and decides what action is appropriate in line with its legal responsibilities and Enforcement Policy.
“As this matter is now the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by Council, it would be inappropriate to comment further on individual reports, visits, assessments or enforcement decisions connected with the case.
“Such information may form part of evidence and any further disclosure at this stage could prejudice the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.”
Further to this, Armagh I also issued council with a Freedom of Information request (FOI), the response to which has now also been received.
Between June 1 and the date of the horses’ removal from the site, council confirmed they received a total of 13 reports from members of the public.
We asked how many site visits were carried out in relation to those reports, however, council declined to answer this question citing legislation, “Council considers the requested information is exempt from release into the public domain by application of the following exemption, Section 31 (1) (b) – ‘the apprehension or prosecution of offenders’ and Section 31(1) (c) – ‘the administration of justice’.”
When asked if a veterinarian attended the site at any stage, council said “yes, on one occasion”, as outlined in their aforementioned response.
Council also confirmed in the response that the owner of the animals was contacted and that this matter is now the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by Council.
Last week Armagh I had been informed by a reliable source that an arrest had been made. Repeated attempts have been made to have this confirmed by police.
However, we have currently not had confirmation.
Given that two dogs were also found deceased in Lurgan in August having “starved to death in crates”, there have been additional calls for complete transparency in regards to council’s Animal Welfare policy.
One person we spoke with said: “If it is currently not already written into policy that animals can be seized while an investigation is underway, then it should be.”
This publication also asked council to send a copy of their current Animal Welfare policy and procedures following a report or complaint.
We have included the information in full below for complete transparency. Please note that this same guidance is relevant to all Northern Irish councils:
1. Complaint received
Non-farmed animal welfare complaint received. Every complaint received is reviewed by the Council’s Animal Welfare Service (AWS).
2. Complaint recorded
Details of the complaint are recorded on the Council’s Animal Welfare System.
3. Further information requested
A complainant must provide reasonable information. A contact phone number will be requested from the caller as a point of reference and for further enquiries.
The Council’s AWS does not provide third parties with updates or outcomes of individual cases.
4. Risk assessment and inspection
Calls will be risk assessed and prioritised. A follow-up visit may be undertaken.
5. Outcome of inspection
There are two possible outcomes:
Satisfactory: The outcome of the investigation is recorded on the Council’s Animal Welfare System.
Unsatisfactory: The outcome of the investigation is recorded on the Council’s Animal Welfare System.
Follow-up action will be taken as deemed proportionate, based on the extent and severity of the breach that has taken place.
A range of measures are available to secure compliance and protect non-farmed animal welfare, including:
– Verbal advice.
– Issue of an Improvement Notice.
– Further inspections.
– Seizure of animals on instructions of a vet.
– Prosecution. Any decision by the AWS to submit a prosecution file for consideration by the Council’s legal department is based on evidential tests and public interest factors as detailed in the Council’s enforcement policy.
– Application for disqualification from keeping animals.
More than one of these actions may be taken over the course of an investigation into a complaint.
6. Final outcome of inspections
The outcomes of inspections, including any subsequent investigations, are not disclosed to the complainant.
Council’s AWS may publish any prosecutions and convictions in local press relevant to the location of the offence.
Additional information in regards to responsibilities of enforcement bodies in respect of animal welfare can be found here.
Rumours had also been circulating locally that the two horses that had been rescued were since put to sleep. Armagh I can confirm that this is inaccurate and both animals remain alive and are recovering.
Updates will be published when made available.
