USPCA Calls on Public to Challenge Election Candidates on Animal Welfare Issues
Ahead of the upcoming election, Northern Ireland animal welfare charity, the USPCA, has launched its ‘Act for Animals’ campaign which calls on the public to challenge their prospective political representatives on their views regarding animal welfare legislation.
The campaign highlights four areas of animal welfare which are in need of urgent address including:
- greater enforcement and regulation of the puppy trade,
- the introduction of a banned offenders register,
- the impending indiscriminate badger cull,
- and the introduction of a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs.
Commenting on the campaign, USPCA Chief Executive, Brendan Mullan, said: “The outgoing Assembly voted against introducing a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs, and did not afford time to consider a private members bill which would have enhanced the regulations around the cruel puppy trade. The DAERA Minister also announced a cull of badgers – a protected species.
“Our incoming Assembly needs to do better, and we all now have the opportunity to use our vote to enhance animal welfare in Northern Ireland. We are asking the public to challenge election candidates to commit to:
- better enforcement and regulation of the puppy trade
- voting against an indiscriminate badger cull
- supporting a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs
- supporting the introduction of a banned offenders register
“Animals play an essential role in our community and natural environment, enhancing our quality of life – but at the same time, can be taken for granted or worse still, abused.
“As a compassionate society, we must recognise our duty to protect all animals – be that our much-loved companion animals or our native wildlife. The public has demonstrated time and time again, their appetite to see real change in animal welfare here in Northern Ireland,” added Brendan.
A recent Lucidtalk poll commissioned by the Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG) reinforces this with 83% of respondents agreeing that there needs to be improvement in the enforcement of current animal welfare law in Northern Ireland.
Brendan added: “We thank our supporters for rallying behind our campaigning work and look forward to their continued support in the months ahead. We all play an important role in shaping Northern Ireland’s political landscape for the next five years – we hope Northern Ireland has a future in which animals are afforded the protections they deserve.”
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Goats Abandoned Outside Dromara In County Down
Animal welfare charity, the USPCA, has reported yet another case of animal abandonment following the discovery of two approximately 2–3-week-old goats in a ditch on a rural lane outside Dromara, Co. Down.
The male goats were malnourished, freezing cold and starving – there was also signs of their umbilical cords still attached.
The case was responded to by the charity’s Wildlife Rescue and Animal Care Officer following a report from a member of the public late yesterday evening (5th April 2022).
Colleen Tinnelly, USPCA Development Manager, said: “This is another terrible case involving defenceless young animals being dumped at the roadside – a few months ago it as a litter of pups, now it’s baby goats.
“This type of behaviour is unacceptable – in any cases of animal ownership, if you are not willing to look after young offspring, abandoning an animal in a ditch is not the answer.
“These two young goats have suffered so much already but we’re thankful we weren’t facing a fatal outcome – they could have very easily been knocked down by a car.
“Following veterinary assessment and being well looked after by our animal care team, they are now settled and in good health. As they were quite underweight, our priority is ensuring that they build up their strength and recuperate fully before arranging a long-term home for them.
“We’re very grateful to the member of the public for reporting this situation us as their actions have changed the lives of these two young goats.
“If anyone may have information relating to this case, we ask them to report this immediately to the USPCA on 028 3025 1000.”
