I propose to take Questions No. 301 and 305 together.
I am aware of DSPCA concerns in relation to penalties under the Protection of Animals Acts, 1991 and 1965. These are the principal statutes governing cruelty to all animals, domestic or wild, in this country, and they are enforced by the Garda Síochána. If any person has reason to believe that there has been an act of cruelty against any animal, the matter should be reported to the gardaí for any action which they consider appropriate. In the context of the Control of Horses Act, 1996, the penalties for cruelty under the 1911 Act were increased significantly. The penalties now are: a fine of up to £1,500 and-or six months imprisonment on summary conviction; and a fine of up to £10,000 and/or two years imprisonment on conviction on indictment. This represents a major recasting of the penalties in that there had previously been no provision for conviction on indictment. In addition to the imposition of a fine and/or a term of imprisonment, the court is empowered to deprive an owner who has been convicted of cruelty of any animal in relation to which the offence was committed.
The protection afforded by the above-mentioned legislation applies to the welfare of all animals. An inter-departmental group, including my Department, is examining the keeping of dangerous or exotic animals in this country. EU Council Directive (1999/22/EC) relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos, and which falls within the remit of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, was adopted in March of this year.
