Northern Ireland’s animal welfare regulations are “unfit for purpose in 2023 leaving animals languishing in distress" and the public frustrated over responses to reports, according to a dog rescue charity.
They say:
- Council animal welfare officers are forced to rely on outdated and inadequate laws
- Recommendations from a DAERA review of legislation in 2016 have not been fully implemented,
- The explosion in dog ownership has vastly increased levels of neglect and abandonment
- A full review of local council welfare rules should be created to future-proof regulations, and,
- DAERA legislation should be subject to emergency review.
Margaret Dimsdale-Bobby from Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, says the public today feels "hopeless and helpless" in the face of alleged animal welfare issues they have witnessed, many viewing the reporting of them as a “lost cause”.
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She said: “We have example after example of animals continuing to suffer because the system, in our opinion, is broken.
“The reporting of animals in crisis in Northern Ireland is not dealt with as a crisis by the authorities.
"They are stepping through laws and regulations from 2011 that are simply not fit for purpose in 2023. The laws and regulations didn’t work well in 2011 and they are even less suitable now.
“In one case repeated reports were made by the public to the PSNI, council officers and animal welfare officers about animals who clearly appeared to be in distress.
“Members of the public made the reports and we followed up yet more than a week later these animals remain in the same state, in the same area, with the same care.
“There are dogs with obvious skin diseases and overgrown nails, puppies lying amongst dogs with skin issues, unsuitable food left for them such as sweet cakes and rotting burgers.
“There are donkeys with overgrown hooves that will be causing them pain. There are water troughs filled not with water but some indistinguishable slop.
“We've been given reports of animals here who appear to be thin and hungry, we have had reports of dogs turning on each other for scraps of food, reports of geese with torn feet and of animals being kept locked in sheds.
“Photographs and reports have been sent to the authorities. Welfare officers attended the scene and spoke to a person at the site and took notes.
"So what practical action has been done? We have no evidence to date to show there has been any improvement for the animals. Does that mean our laws and regulations are actually creating a cruelty and neglect status quo?
"We are concerned that these animals are continuing to suffer horrific experiences and pain. We now know members of the local community have been aware of these animals for a long time.
"Many have reported their situation and others say ‘there is no point as nothing will be done’.
"CCDR became aware of this particular case after members of the public, using the public pathway on the edge of the site, were shocked by what they witnessed and we can see why.
"Sadly charities like ours do not have the power to remove animals who we believe are being abused, or to fine those who are breaking the law.
“All we can do is to follow up with the appropriate authorities and support those brave members of the public who come forward to make a report. .
"So we went through the appropriate process and informed the appropriate authorities giving them a full report and photos and video and we are still waiting for action, for an improvement in the environment for the animals or a change of environment."
DAERA transferred the powers to enforce animal welfare legislation to the local government on March 31, 2014.
Legislation was updated and changed in 2011, aimed at delivering a service that prevented cruelty and enforced the law.
In 2016, DAERA, supported by the Department of Justice, reviewed the legislation over two years and made 68 recommendations, 59 relating directly to the improvement of services around dogs and non-farmed animals.
One of these recommendations was to increase prison sentencing to up to five years and gave courts the power to impose unlimited fines. Neither power has been used to date.
Mrs Dimsdale-Bobby, said: “Seven years on, we are clear that many of these recommendations have not yet been put in place so the suffering continues and it will continue until we have legislation and regulations that are fit for purpose in 2023 and future proofed for the years to come. DAERA's legislation should be subject to emergency review now.
"Northern Ireland has become a third world country for animal welfare and together we must reverse this trend."
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that following concerns raised by the public the site referred to by Margaret Dimsdale-Bobby was visited. They said: "An officer spoke to the property owner regarding the current living conditions. Further investigation and checks on the welfare of the animals will follow."
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