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An Animal Welfare Motion discussed at the Council's Enterprise Regeneration and Tourism meeting on Monday night has led to Councillors being given places on the 'paws for thought' forum, a cross-agency group.
Cllr Patrick Brown who brought forward the motion explained "Last night, council's ERT committee debated the motion below, which I tabled last month. This motion would have seen Newry, Mourne and Down become the first council in NI to establish a dedicated animal welfare forum with elected member and community/voluntary representation.
"Ultimately officers and councillors made the decision not to establish a new forum. However, they did agree that for the first time councillors would be given a place on the 'paws for thought' forum, a cross-agency group working to tackle illegal breeding and improve animal welfare in the district. Council will also consider how community/voluntary groups such as local animal charities and shelters could also be included in this forum.
"As the Alliance Party's Animal Welfare spokesperson, I am convinced of the need for politicians to take a lead in tackling animal cruelty and improving welfare outcomes. Collectively, I believe we can work with statutory agencies to set political direction and lobby for: Increased funding for animal welfare from DAERA; A plan to proactively identify and pursue illegal and unethical breeders (for example by doing 'house calls' to gumtree sellers); Improved response to information about animal abuse in the area; Continued partnership work to reduce euthanasia figures and Wider legislative changes needed such as tougher sentencing and an abusers register."
The value of illegal pet trafficking has been estimated by the USPCA to be over £150m a year with many pups sold in poor health due to the squalid conditions they are born into.
At the meeting Rowallane councillor, Patrick Brown explained “There is an increase and worrying prevalence of puppy farming and pet abandonment in recent years,”
There were 290 visits in Northern Ireland to suspect animal welfare situations in the last six months with 30 pups re-homed as well as reports of pets bought for children dying due to ill health linked to conditions in illegal breeding farms.
“The forum would seek representation from elected members, dog wardens, kennelling providers, DAERA, animal shelters, charities and the PSNI.
“We must be seen to pursue illegal breeders in the district with a consistent input.
“There is a high level of need for rehoming of dogs and there is a high level of euthanasia.
“Illegal dog breeders must face tougher sentencing,” he added.
The motion from the Alliance representative met broad agreement on tackling the prevalence of puppy farms especially in the border region.
In a recent sickening example in south Armagh, a severely neglected female dog, used for illegal breeding was found in a ditch and had to be put down.
The dog was diagnosed with severe mange and a serious bacterial skin infection, which made her breed nearly undistinguishable.
NMDDC assistant director of licensing, Colum Jackson said that the council was already engaging with appropriate agencies.
“Council officials meet locally bi-monthly with the PSNI and Animal Welfare through its ‘Paws for Thought’ forum to discuss reported possible illegal breeding within the district, council officials also meet through the Northern I Dog Advisory Group (NIDAG),” explained Mr Jackson.
“This is a forum made up of officers from all 11 councils where officers responsible for dog control meet to discuss related issues.
“The NIDAG is in direct contact with the PSNI, DAERA and Port Authorities on the movement of pups and the council have a data sharing agreement with these agencies to receive reports directly from DAERA on movement of dogs through the ports.
“Last year the council assisted Animal Welfare in investigating and uncovering two locations of illegal breeding of pups.
“We recovered and rehomed over 30 pups.
“This year to date we have investigated four premises following on from reports received from DAERA over the period, but no animal welfare concerns were uncovered.
“Appropriate licensing applications have been recommended.
“Officers would not recommend the establishment of another working group.
“It is considered that there is adequate provision.
“There is a multi-agency approach to stamp it out.”
Personal evidence of the tragic outcomes of puppy farm operations was heard at the council enterprise meeting with an “explosion in trade” of the “cruellest” treatment of animals.
Newry councillor, Rosin Mulgrew (SF) aired her own experience with a suggestion for increased co-operation with existing agency forum.
“I know a number of families who have bought dogs for their children, only for the pups to become ill and then die as they had been sold in bad health,” said Cllr Mulgrew.
“However, I don’ t think that there needs to be another committee set up just for the sake of it.
“I propose that there are councillors who can attend Paws for Thought and report back to the council for sharing of information and feedback,” she added.
The amendment to the motion was accepted by Cllr Brown and passed at the committee.
