Ireland’s leading animal charity, the NSPCA, has called for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in major urban areas and sulkies on public roads, citing serious animal welfare and road safety concerns. The charity highlights the risks posed by sulky racing on busy roads, which is growing in popularity despite enforcement challenges, and points to recent incidents involving injured or exhausted horses. The NSPCA also advocates for banning greyhound racing, fox hunting with dogs, and reforming dog breeding laws as part of its 2026-2030 strategy. They emphasize that modern cities are unsuitable environments for horses, which face dangers from traffic, overwork, and inadequate care.

Currently, horse-drawn carriages remain legal in Dublin city, but the 1853 Dublin Carriage Act restricts local authorities from regulating them effectively. While new legislation to repeal this outdated law was drafted, it was delayed during the pandemic, though government work on the bill is ongoing. Public opinion largely supports phasing out horse-drawn carriages, with two-thirds of surveyed adults in favor and 86% calling for stricter regulation. Some advocates suggest gradual regulation rather than an outright ban to address concerns across different communities.