The health and welfare of our animals is a key priority of mine.
The number and nature of animal welfare complaints received by my Department and the reports from on-farm welfare inspections carried out by my Department's staff do not indicate any general deterioration in animal welfare outcomes.
My Department has always been clear and consistent, and the Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare, committing to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
My Department takes a very strong stance on this and continues to enforce the law in this important area along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Offences under the Act may be prosecuted in the District Court by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, local authorities and members of An Garda Síochána. Matters tried on indictment are the remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the normal manner and I refer the Deputy to the DPP for the numbers of prosecutions on indictment.
In the past five years, 11 persons have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment which were suspended in nine cases. The Probation Act was applied in eight instances. To date in 2021, there have been eight fines imposed on persons prosecuted.
My Department does not have data in respect of prosecutions by others.
You will be aware that my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect. All case of alleged neglect or cruelty are investigated and appropriate actions, up to and including prosecution, may be taken.
My Department operates a dedicated e-mail address and Helpline for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare breaches:
Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379 or at animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
