Hunter calls for urgent establishment of an NI Animal Welfare Commission

SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has expressed her outrage at the ongoing stories of animal abuse in the Ballykelly area and has called on DAERA to establish a dedicated Animal Welfare Commission and Commissioner.

Ms Hunter raised the issue during a Members Statement in Stormont on Tuesday morning.

Said the East Derry MLA: “Across social media, constituents have been sickened by the images and videos emerging, purportedly showing the abuse and unlawful killing of dogs within my constituency.

“Constituents rightly demand that this issue receives the urgent treatment it deserves. In the chamber yesterday I highlighted the ongoing concerns around the provision of animal welfare and the abuse of domestic animals in the Ballykelly area.

“Yesterday I called for the Executive to establish an Animal Welfare Commission along the lines of the Scottish model.

“The creation of a discrete Animal Welfare Commission and dedicated Animal Welfare Commissioner will allow Stormont to avail of expert led guidance on how we can best deal the enduring tragedy that is the abuse of both wild and companion animals.

“In the absence of such a unit, our local Councils are struggling to cope and have failed to comprehensively provide solutions, whilst the PSNI continues to fail to halt and punish the perpetrators.

“In calling for the creation of such a unit, the Executive will be able to avail of evidence-based policy on the protection of animals, which will provide the necessary guidance for legislative and non-legislative routes that can foster an environment in which all animals finally get the protection they deserve and that those who abuse animals are appropriately held to account.”

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