Vol. 235 No. 5
asked the Minister for Justice whether there is any obligation on organisers of dog and badger trials to notify the Garda in advance of such trials; and what steps are being taken to ensure compliance with the law forbidding the fighting and baiting of, and cruelty to, animals.
19.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions in each of the last five years in respect of causing, procuring or assisting at the fighting or baiting of any animal; and, in particular, whether any persons were prosecuted in respect of dog and badger trials.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos 18 and 19 together.
The crime statistics do not give the details sought and their compilation from the original records would involve an altogether disproportionate amount of work.
There is no obligation on the organisers of dog and badger trials to notify the Garda in advance.
Enforcement of the Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965, is carried out by the Garda Síochána in the normal way in conjunction with their other duties. Apart from what they do on their own initiative, it is, of course, their practice to investigate all complaints made to them of cruelty to animals.
