Making Ireland Fairer
Lobbying for the overhaul of pre-independence animal welfare legislation
Overhauling Animal Protection Legislation
The B.S.E. and Foot and Mouth crises have ensured the connection between animal welfare and food safety is foremost in all of our minds. I think we need the highest possible evidence-based standards in our animal health and welfare policies. Where gaps in the setting of standards in animal welfare exist, for instance because the scientific evidence is absent, I will seek to promote the development of that evidence and where it exists, I will promote the adoption at the national and the EU level of standards which are based on such evidence.
I think it is outrageous that a pre-independence piece of legislation still governs the protection of animals from cruelty in Ireland. When, earlier this year, a bridge in County Kerry fell down while being traversed by an articulated lorry carrying over 200 pigs, I drafted the following complaint about the incident which, having been investigated by the Gardaí, is currently, as a result of this complaint, under active consideration for prosecution by the DPP. It is a pity the only prosecution that could be brought against the alleged perpetrator of this alleged cruelty is one using a law passed in Westminster. It is also a pity that in order to compose this complaint I had to source the content of the Statute from the UK parliament:
"I write to you about an incident which apparently occurred yesterday in Lixnaw. I understand that an articulated truck apparently carrying 240 pigs weighing, as I understand it, at least 40 tonnes attempted to traverse Ballinagar Bridge, which appears to be signposted as being able to bear a maximum weight of 12 tonnes.
Section 1(1) (a) of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 states, inter alia, "if any person- ... shall cruelly terrify any animal ... such person shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty within the meaning of this Act;
Section 1(1) (a) of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 states, inter alia, if any person- ... shall, by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, cause any unnecessary suffering ... such person shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty within the meaning of this Act;
Section 1(1) (a) of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 states, inter alia, if any person- ... shall by causing or procuring the commission or omission of any act, cause any unnecessary suffering, or, being the owner, permit anu unnecessary suffering to be so caused to any animal ... such person shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty within the meaning of this Act;
Section 1(1) (b) of the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 states, inter alia, if any person- ... shall convey or carry, or cause or procure, or, being the owner, permit to be conveyed or carried, any animal in such manner or position as to cause that animal any unnecessary suffering.
I believe the act of driving a truck loaded with pigs over that Ballinagar Bridge may well constitute offences under the above referenced sections of the Protection of Animals Act 1911. I also believe that the owner of the pigs; the owner of the truck; and/or the company which contracted the driver of that truck might also be guilty of offences under the aforementioned Act.
I would be grateful if you would investigate this complaint as a matter of urgency.
I will also initiate legislation to lengthen the minimum allowable time between capture and destruction of stray animals.
