Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
869. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cases involving animal welfare concerns that have come under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46808/21]
View answerThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act was passed, after a lengthy and constructive debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas and came into operation on 6th March 2014.
The Department is committed to ongoing promotion and enforcement of animal welfare standards and all animal welfare reports are followed up by Veterinary Staff in the Regional Veterinary Offices or in some cases are referred to the ISPCA or DSPCA for attention by their authorised officers. In many of these cases sanction or prosecution is not the most proportionate or effective course action in achieving a positive outcome.
Often the provision of guidance, advice and education can alleviate welfare concerns for both the animal and the owner.
Offences under the Act may be prosecuted in the District Court by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, local authorities and member of An Garda Síochána. Matters tried on indictment are the remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The data below relate to cases prosecuted at the suit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Since March 2014, 95 individuals have been successfully prosecuted. Fines in excess of €65,000 have been imposed. 11 persons have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment which were suspended in 9 cases. The Probation Act was applied in 8 instances.
Twenty persons have been disqualified from keeping animals under section 58 of the Act.
In 46 cases, summonses have issued or files have been sent to the DPP with a view to initiating prosecution. A further 7 are currently being examined by my Department with a view to pursuing a prosecution if the evidence so warrants.
