Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1428. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the further resources that can be put in place to help publicly enforce animal rights laws regarding the neglect and abuse of equines, especially in urban settings in circumstances in which often the only option available in these situations is to use private contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to taking action to prevent unnecessary suffering to, and neglect of, all animals, including horses kept in urban areas. The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This Act 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 6 March 2014.
I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. Those responsible for causing unnecessary suffering to animals or being negligent regarding animal welfare will continue to be sanctioned where appropriate, up to and including prosecution through the Courts should the evidence so warrant. This policy applies to horses kept in urban areas as well as to other animals.
Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service of the Revenue Commissioners, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. My Department works closely with these bodies and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved for their work in the field of animal welfare.
My Department has prosecuted eleven persons under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 for offences involving horses; a further 4 cases remain before the Courts. This does not include cases initiated by other prosecuting authorities in respect of which my Department does not have information.
Over 170 equines have been seized by officers based in my Department’s network of regional offices in the past 4 years.
My Department dedicates a substantial level of resources and funding to animal welfare. This follows from last year when the largest ever allocation of funding from my Department of €2.906m was made to 106 animal welfare bodies, a number of which undertake work with urban horses. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to double the grant aid to animal welfare organisations.
In addition, my Department continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide, bringing education on all aspects of equine welfare to disadvantaged areas. In the context of preventing over-breeding and consequential welfare problems, my Department provides financial assistance to the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal to operate castration clinics and facilitate education programmes. These initiatives highlight the importance of appropriate welfare education and increase awareness among the community at large.
In recent years, my Department has funded four courses relating to equine welfare targeted at horse owners. My Department also takes part in the Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group with local authorities and relevant non-Government organisations.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may make bye-laws relating to the keeping of horses. Local authorities may take a range of other actions in relation to equines including the seizure and disposal of straying horses which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission.
The Chief Executive of a local authority may appoint authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This action opens for local authorities a further range of options that may be utilised in the interest of public safety and the related welfare of animals.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.
The dedicated e-mail address and Helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of cruelty and neglect are:
Helpline Phone No: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
I am are committed to this policy of education and building awareness, financial support and the continued and vigorous application of animal welfare legislation in respect of all animals, including urban horses.
