SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said that an all-island animal cruelty register is the only way to keep animals out of the hands of abusers.
Mr. McNulty said:
“The SDLP has spent many years campaigning for improved animal protections in the North. In 2021, we brought forward a petition with thousands of signatures calling on the then Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister to work with the Justice Minister to introduce an all-island animal cruelty register. Despite initial support, the Minister later said such a register would not be possible, blaming financial and logistical issues.
“The cross-border nature of criminal activities such as dogfighting, badger-baiting, and illegal puppy-farming, demands a cross-border response. A register restricted to the North could also allow people banned from owning animals in the North to purchase them over the border and vice-versa and without proper systems and information sharing in place it could be very easy for abusers to exploit this.
“Disappointingly the current Minister has also rejected an all-island register. We also see few prosecutions when it comes to animal cruelty and abuse. A change of approach is needed, not just from the Executive, but from enforcement agencies to send a clear message that there will be no hiding place for those who mistreat animals.”
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