1,265 non-farmed animal welfare incidents in three years
A total number of 1,265 non-farmed animal welfare incidents were recorded between 2021 to 2023 in the
Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council area.
The numbers were obtained through a Freedom Of Information request by SDLP MLA Cara Hunter.
A total of 383 incidents were reported in 2021, 468 in 2022 and 414 for this year.
“I am extremely concerned with the high number of animal welfare incidents reported in the Causeway
Coast and Glens area over the past few years, with over 400 incidents alone in 2022 and in the year to
date,” said SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter.
“This means that there are potentially hundreds of animals suffering or not being cared for in the correct
way by their owners.”
A total of 13 dogs were euthanised between these dates as a result of concerns around welfare and
aggressive behaviour.
The reasons to put them to sleep included veterinary advice for health reasons, biting, and aggressive
behaviour.
“While I know that the vast majority of people are responsible pet owners and this is an area full of
animal lovers who treat pets as part of the family, the high volume of these incidents shows that there is an
issue that needs to be addressed and that people need to be reminded about their responsibilities when
owning and caring for an animal, with action taken against repeat offenders to show that we are taking
animal welfare seriously,” continued the MLA.
In three years, 18 animals were seized following a report of concern for animal welfare. Local councils
have the responsibility for animal wellbeing.
“If the councils are concerned at all about the animals, they'll give advice to the owners
to help improve the lifestyle of the animal,” said Siobhan McHaffie, the USPCA director of Operations
and development.
“If it is a really bad situation of neglect or cruelty they can sometimes take the animal.”
Animal welfare organisations have been militating for years, supported by some political parties, to create
an animal register offender list.
“The SDLP has previously proposed the creation of an all-island animal cruelty register to prevent abusers
from being able to purchase any more animals to keep them from harm,” said Ms Hunter.
“We also need to do more to educate people about taking care of their animals and what to do and who to
contact if they are concerned for their welfare or health.”
Siobhan McHaffie said that creating an animal cruelty register 'is a really difficult thing to bring into force
because of GDPR'.
Nowadays, buying a pet has become an easy process facilitated by the internet. It allows people to buy a
pet in the morning and pick it up at night. In Northern Ireland, the absence of barriers makes it easier for
individuals to make unrestricted purchases of animals.
“We also work against this sort of advertising of animals for sale or for people to give them away on
social media and things like that,” continued Siobhan.
“So, unfortunately, if somebody is banned from buying animals, the council has to do checks on them to
see if they have got animals.
"The major problem is that the councils do not have the staff resources to check an offender regularly, she
added.
“We would urge people not to offer pets as Christmas presents. If you are thinking about getting a pet, do
your research or speak to any of the animal centres, we will be happy to help.”
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