A total of 56 horses have died of malnutrition, neglect or in road traffic accidents in Dublin since Christmas, according to Mr Liam Lawlor, the Fianna Fail TD for Dublin West.
He has called on the Government to introduce legislation to prevent more horse deaths. The Government, he added, should provide financial assistance to the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) to help it deal with urban horses.
Mr Lawlor made the call following complaints he received from residents in Clondalkin during the Dublin West by election campaign.
He also criticised the disposal of horse carcasses at Dunksink tiphead because of the risk of salmonella bacteria.