ANIMAL WELFARE SCORECARD FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTED IN 2016 - #GE2020 #ISPCA - THE IRISH SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
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THE IRISH SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
ANIMAL WELFARE
SCORECARD FOR
GOVERNMENT
ELECTED IN 2016
#GE2020 #ISPCA
WWW.ISPCA.IE
ANIMAL WELFARE SCORECARD FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTED IN 2016
How has the government performed in terms of animal welfare?
The government has announced that there will be a General Election on the 8th of February 2020, but how has the
government performed in terms of animal welfare improvements since 2016?
In January 2016, the ISPCA launched its Manifesto for Animals which encouraged voters to select candidates that they
believed would best support improvements in animal welfare.
Here we present our Animal Welfare Scorecard for the government for the period February 2016 to January 2020.
There have been some positive steps forward for animal welfare but more needs to be done.
In our 2016 Manifesto for Animals, we highlighted the following key welfare Issues:
Key Animal Welfare Issue Progress Score / 10 and comments
Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) • ISPCA continue to be Authorised Officers 7
under AHWA
The introduction of the Animal Health and
Welfare Act 2013 in March 2014 was a
• Over 6000 animals seized by or
surrendered to ISPCA since authorisation Some progress but
significant step forward for animal welfare in
Ireland. ISPCA Inspectors have been Authorised
received could do better
Officers under the Act since May 2014 and
• More than 80 ISPCA initiated prosecutions
finalised in court since authorisation
in 2015 initiated 35 prosecutions relating
received
to companion animals and equines, nine of
which have been finalised in court. However,
• First custodial sentences handed down for
AHWA offences
we continue to see more and more instances
of animal abandonment, neglect and cruelty.
• First disqualification orders handed down
for AHWA offences
Responsible pet ownership is at the heart of
animal welfare in Ireland.
• Performing well in some areas but could do
better in others
• Enforcement inconsistent
• More resources needed for ISPCA to be
able to cover all 26 counties
Microchipping of Dogs • Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 2
came into force in September 2015
The introduction of the Microchipping of
Dogs Regulations 2015 is welcome and if
• September 2015 – all puppies must be
microchipped from the age of 12 months Must do Better
properly enforced will result in traceability and
accountability for dog owners. From September
• From March 2016 – all dogs must be
microchipped
1st 2015, all puppies must be microchipped by
the age of 12 weeks or before they leave the
• Legislation not enforced
breeding premises. This was extended to all dogs
in Ireland from 31st March 2016.
Dog Breeding Establishments Act (DBE) • Department of Rural and Community 5
Development (DRCD) published public
The ISPCA has witnessed significant problems
consultation on the Dog Breeding
with dog breeding in Ireland. In April 2015,
Establishments Guidelines in 2017 Some progress but
the ISPCA removed 340 dogs and 11 horses
from a licensed and registered dog breeding
• New Guidelines Published in July 2018 could do better
establishment that were being kept in
• New Guidelines came into force 1st January
2019
horrendous conditions. Our Inspectors have also
visited several other registered DBEs where
• DRCD committed to a review of Dog
Breeding Establishments Act in 2018
standards are poor and the breeders are not
complying with the relevant legislation.
• Draft changes to Dog Breeding
Establishments Act to be published
February 2020
WWW.ISPCA.IEANIMAL WELFARE SCORECARD FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTED IN 2016
Below, we list the things we asked the government to do during the lifetime of the 32nd Dáil. We also list
what the government did (or didn’t do) in relation to these issues. We have then scored the government
out of 10 and, using a traffic light system, indicated what was achieved, what was partially achieved and where the
government failed.
What the ISPCA wanted the Government to do
Progress Score / 10 and comments
during its tenure
Conduct a full audit of animal welfare issues • No full audit carried out 5
in Ireland • Department of Agriculture Food and the
Marine (DAFM) launched consultation on new
The ISPCA would like to see an independent
draft Animal Welfare Strategy in October 2018 Some progress but
audit of animal welfare issues in Ireland
• New Animal Welfare Strategy to be
covering companion animals, equines, farm
launched in 2020 could do better
animals, wild animals and animals used for
entertainment, sport and research.
• New strategy must be implemented and
those activities that are incompatible with
the strategy either improved or phased out
as appropriate
Increase financial support for animal welfare • Total funding for animal welfare charities 5
charities increased from €2.5 million in 2016 to €2.9
million in 2019, an increase of 16%
Animal welfare charities are often left to pick
up the pieces when the welfare of animals
• However this was distributed to over 100 Some progress but
organisations each year
is compromised. Although ex gratia grants
to animal welfare charities have increased
• Funding for fully compliant animal welfare could do better
organisations must increase significantly
in recent years, more funding should be
to deal with the many animal welfare issues
made available for reputable animal welfare
found in Ireland
organisations.
Promote responsible pet ownership through • Introduction of animal welfare lesson plans 0
the school curriculum to the National School Curriculum rejected
by Minister for Education in 2017
The ISPCA believes that education is the
key to better animal welfare in Ireland. We
• ISPCA campaign and petition will continue Fail
would like to see animal welfare lessons and
activities introduced to the curriculum of all
schools in Ireland.
Ensure tougher sentences for those found • No sentencing guidelines introduced 5
guilty of animal cruelty • First custodial sentences under the AHWA
handed down by courts
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013,
introduced in March 2014 is a strong piece of
• Only four lifetime disqualification orders Some progress but
handed down
legislation but enforcement is inconsistent and
sentences issued to date are no deterrent to
• ISPCA would like to see disqualification could do better
order for a period of time up to or including
animal abusers. We would like to see higher fines
life to be made mandatory unless there are
imposed, jail sentences for the most serious
significant mitigating factors
cases and life bans on keeping animals imposed
to prevent those found guilty of animal abuse
from reoffending. The ISPCA would like to see
sentencing guidelines introduced for courts.
Conduct a full review of the Dog Breeding • DRCD published public consultation of the 5
Establishments (DBE) Act 2010 DBE Guidelines in 2017
• ISPCA submitted detailed response
The ISPCA believes that the Dog Breeding
establishment Act 2010 which regulates
• New Guidelines published July 2018 and Some progress but
came into force January 2019
dog breeding in Ireland should be reviewed.
• Significant improvement on old Guidelines could do better
Puppy farming is a serious problem in Ireland.
• Unannounced inspections introduced
Currently anyone with 6 or more breeding
bitches must be licensed and registered by
• No cap on number of female dogs that can
be kept
the local authority. Dogs are social animals
and this must be reflected in the regulations.
• Ratio of staff to dogs of 1:25 introduced –
the ISPCA believes this is too many dogs
The ISPCA would like to see a minimum ratio
per staff member and recommend 1:10
of carers to dogs introduced to ensure high
• Review of DBE Act announced in 2017
welfare standards and to ensure that all dogs
are properly socialised. We would also like to
• Changes to DBE Act to be introduced in
2020
see the introduction of random, unannounced
inspections carried out by the Department of
Agriculture, local authorities and the ISPCA.
WWW.ISPCA.IEANIMAL WELFARE SCORECARD FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTED IN 2016
What the ISPCA wanted the Government to do
Progress Score / 10 and comments
during its tenure
Ensure the closure of any dog breeding • Introduction of Environment (Miscellaneous 5
establishment that is found to be acting Provisions) Act 2015 (S.I. No. 505 of 2016):
illegally or below an acceptable standard should be allows closure of unregistered
DBSs Some progress but
The ISPCA has encountered a number of
unlicensed and unregistered dog breeding
• Local authorities more proactive in dealing
could do better
with both registered and unregistered DBEs
establishments which have not been
prosecuted by the local authority responsible
• Good collaboration between the ISPCA and
some local authorities
for enforcing the legislation. In some cases
those acting illegally have simply been invited
• ISPCA involved in closure of several DBEs
since 2016 and have removed over 500
to apply for a license. We believe that any dog
dogs
breeder found to be acting illegally should be
prosecuted. Any subsequent application for a
license should be refused.
Make resources available to ensure • Inconsistent enforcement of both the 2
consistent enforcement of the Animal AHWA and DBE continues to be an issue
Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) and the Dog • DBE enforcement would be enhanced by
Breeding Establishments Act (DBE) appointing national inspectorate team Must do better
(similar to that for zoo inspections)
The inconsistent and patchy enforcement of
the AHWA and DBE is partly due to limited • Increase in ex-gratia grant to ISPCA by
resources at the Department of Agriculture DAFM not sufficient to allow recruitment of
and local authorities. The ISPCA believes that more Inspectors
adequate funding should be made available • 2016 report by Joint Oireachtas Committee
to ensure that the legislation is fully enforced on Welfare of Equines recommended that
and that anyone found to be acting illegally is DAFM provide funding to allow ISPCA to recruit
prosecuted when appropriate. enough Inspectors to provide full coverage of
Ireland
• Recommendation not implemented by
DAFM
Ensure adequate resources are available to • Although there have been some 2
enforce equine legislation improvement in the welfare of equines
there are still hot-spots, particularly in
The ISPCA supports the introduction of
legislation relating to the identification of
some urban areas, where serious equine Must do better
equines but would like to see more consistent welfare issues persist
enforcement of microchipping, registration • ISPCA has seized over 200 equines
of equine premises and transfer of ownership since this 2016, showing the value of the
regulations as we believe traceability is vital to authorisation
ensure accountability. • AHWA and other legislation is sufficient
to deal with the majority of equine welfare
issues
• Enforcement is not robust enough
• In terms of the sale or transfer of
ownership, responsibility must be placed on
both the seller and the buyer to update the
equine passport
• DAFM introduced a Statutory Instrument
in 2016 which placed responsibility on
both the seller and the buyer but this was
rescinded
• Responsibility only on buyer to update
passport, resulting in difficulties in tracing
last known owner
• A zero tolerance approach is required in
relation to irresponsible breeding of horses,
illegal grazing and equines that are not
microchipped
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What the ISPCA wanted the Government to do
Progress Score / 10 and comments
during its tenure
Stop live exports to non-EU countries where • Live exports of cattle to non-EU countries 0
welfare standards at the final destination have increased since 2015
cannot be assured. • New markets have been opened or are
The ISPCA believes that all food animals
being explored in several other non-EU Fail
countries, including Libya, Egypt and
should be humanely slaughtered as near as
Algeria
possible to the point of production and should
not be exported to countries that do not apply • In addition, export of male dairy calves to
the same animal welfare standards that apply EU countries including France, Belgium and
within the EU. Spain have increased significantly following
the scrapping of the milk quota in 2015 to
almost 200,000 in 2019
• Alternatives such as exporting meat on the
hook not the hoof and promoting calf-at-
foot dairies have not been developed
• Small improvements to transport conditions
have been introduced to transport of male
dairy calves through a Note to Transporters
Introduce a complete ban on the use of wild • The use of wild animals in circuses was
animals in travelling circuses banned in Ireland from 1st January 2018
through the Circuses (Prohibition on Use
The ISPCA believes that travelling circuses
of Wild Animals) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No.
can never provide a suitable environment
482/2017)
for wild animals such as tigers, lions and
elephants. We believe that the welfare of wild
animals is compromised by regular transport,
10
loading and unloading, noise and lights. Many Pass
countries around the world have introduced
bans or partial bans on the use of wild animals
in circuses. We also believe that coercing wild
animals to perform unnatural behaviours is
morally and ethically unacceptable.
Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of • No progress 0
wild mammals with hounds
Hunting wild mammals with hounds is cruel and
out dated and has been banned in Scotland,
Fail
England and Wales. Scientific research has
shown that the welfare of a fox pursued by
hounds is severely compromised and death is
rarely instantaneous, contrary to the claims of
the hunting industry. The ISPCA would support
transition to drag hunting where a scent trail is
followed by hounds and riders can enjoy their
activity without it ending in cruelty.
Introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares • No progress 0
In 2015, almost 5000 hares were taken from the
• RTE screened programme in June 2019 which
showed alleged illegal coursing
wild to be used in live coursing events by licensed
coursing clubs. Despite the greyhounds being
• RTE programme also raised welfare concerns Fail
regarding the overproduction and disposal of
muzzled, the hares suffer fear and distress and
some are killed or seriously injured and have to greyhounds used in racing and coursing
be euthanised. The ISPCA believes that live hares • Commitments made by IGB to improve
should not be used be used for this activity and welfare of racing greyhounds do not cover
alternatives should be introduced. coursing greyhounds
• Between 2015 and 2019 (four coursing
seasons), 75 hares were killed by greyhounds
(or PTS by vet due to injuries), 21 died in
captivity, (cause of death not investigated)
and 104 hares unaccounted for
• ISPCA calling for ban on live hare coursing and
transition to use of artificial lure
WWW.ISPCA.IEANIMAL WELFARE SCORECARD FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTED IN 2016
What the ISPCA wanted the Government to do
Progress Score / 10 and comments
during its tenure
Phase out fur farming • Minister for Agriculture committed in 2019 to 10
introduce legislation to phase out fur farming
Fur farming is cruel and unnecessary. Confined
in Ireland
to small cages, animals reared for fur such as
mink often express stereotypic behaviour, a clear
• Achieved but government must follow through Pass
and introduce legislation in 2020
sign of distress. Fur farming has been banned or
phased out in most EU Member States.
Verdict:
MAKING PROGRESS BUT COULD
DO BETTER IN SOME AREAS AND MUST
DO BETTER IN OTHERS
On pet animals
The government has made some progress on animal welfare since it was elected in 2016. The introduction of a ban on the
use of wild animals in circuses and a commitment to phase out fur farming were highlights. The former was a culmination
of many years of campaigning by the ISPCA and other animal welfare groups. The ISPCA launched its Big Stop campaign
in 2016 and lobbied for an end to the use of wild animals in travelling circuses on animal welfare grounds. Ireland became
the 20th EU Member State to ban or restrict the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. It is hoped that Northern Ireland
will follow Ireland’s example when a government is formed. The ISPCA campaigned extensively for a fur free Ireland and
supported Deputy Ruth Coppinger’s Private Members Bill to prohibit fur farming. We also worked with Veterinary Ireland
to review their position statement on fur farming and lobbied across the political spectrum seeking support for Deputy
Coppinger’s Bill. The key factors that contributed to the Minister’s decision to introduce legislation to phase out fur farming
were Veterinary Ireland calling for a ban and the main opposition party publishing a statement supporting a ban. We now call
on the government to make good on its commitment and introduce the legislation in 2020.
The consultations on Dog Breeding Establishments Act and Control of Dogs Act & Guidelines by the Department of Rural
and Community Development (DRCD) and the consultation on a Code of Practice for Pet Shops and the advertisement of pet
animals for sale by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) were welcome. These consultations show that
the government listened to our concerns and gave the ISPCA an opportunity to put forward suggestions for positive change
for pets, especially dogs. Since the government was elected, we have seen the introduction of new Guidelines for Dog Breeding
Establishments in 2019 and a review of the DBE Act itself, with changes to be introduced early in 2020. A review of the Control
of Dogs Act has allowed the ISPCA to put forward suggestions for positive change that promote responsible dog ownership.
The new Code of Practice for Sellers or Suppliers of Pet Animals , published in January 2020 , recognises that pet animals are
not just sold in bricks and mortar pet shops but from a variety of places which may use online advertising. The introduction of
the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 from 1st February 2020 will require all sellers
or suppliers of more than five pet animals in any one year to register with DAFM , unless already registered under the Dog
Breeding Establishments Act. All sellers or suppliers of more than five animals in any one calendar year will also have to include
their registration numbers, age and country of origin of any animal advertised and, in the case of dogs , also include the unique
microchip number. Rescue organisations offering dogs for adoption must also include their registered charity number and be
registered either with DAFM or the local authority (the latter if they satisfy the criteria for registration). All of these changes will
benefit the welfare of pet animals in Ireland, but as with any legislation, enforcement will be key. Education must also play a role
to inform pet owners of this legislation and how to report any suspected breaches.
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On farm animals
The welfare of farm animals in Ireland is generally good and the ISPCA recognises the work done by farmers to ensure the
health and welfare of their livestock. However, there are a number of welfare issues that the ISPCA believes need to be
addressed and we will be seeking commitments from the next government to phase out cages for laying hens by 2025.
Currently 1.8 million laying hens (54% of total) are kept in combi cages with average space for each hen about 750cm2,
roughly the size of a sheet of A4 paper. The ISPCA believes that no farm animal should be kept in a cage for any part of its
lifetime. The ISPCA would like to see an end to exports of live cattle to third (non-EU) countries and meat products exported
on the hook, not the hoof. However, live exports remain government policy and no progress has been made on this – indeed
the numbers of cattle being exported has gone up. Since the milk quota ended in 2015, the government has encouraged
dairy farmers to increase the size of their herds resulting in an overall increase to the Irish dairy herd of about 400,000
cattle. This has resulted in an increase in the number of unwanted male calves and the numbers exported for the veal trade
in Europe has increased significantly. The ISPCA believes that alternatives should be explored by the government, including
the promotion of pink veal in Ireland and also encouraging ‘calf at foot’ dairy farming.
On wild animals
The ISPCA is opposed to hare coursing on animal welfare and ethical grounds. We would like to see a prohibition on coursing
live hares and a switch to using an artificial lure. The emergence of RHD2 virus which affects rabbits and hares , and which
can be fatal , resulted in a temporary suspension of licenses for coursing clubs to take hares from the wild for coursing.
The ISPCA welcomed this suspension and believe that the precautionary principle should be applied. We were disappointed
when the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG) lifted the licence suspension and allowed coursing
to take place in areas ‘unaffected’ by the virus. However, we made it clear to DCHG that if the virus has not been recorded
in a specific area this does not mean it is unaffected. Over the course of this government over 19,000 hares have been
taken from the wild for coursing. Over this period 75 hares were killed by greyhounds or so seriously injured that they had to
be euthanised. Twenty-one died in captivity but the cause of death was not investigated and 104 were not accounted for.
Although the majority are released back to the wild, no research has been done on the impact of coursing on the welfare of
individual hares as a result of trapping, handling, transporting, keeping in captivity and following release. The ISPCA will be
continue to campaign for a ban on hare coursing in the coming years. Sadly hare coursing is supported by a majority of TDs
and there is little chance of a ban in the near future.
Hunting mammals with hounds and the associated practices of digging out and using terriers are cruel and not acceptable
in a modern and progressive society. The ISPCA believes that hunting mammals with hounds should be prohibited and hunts
forced to change to drag hunting in which an artificial scent (e.g. aniseed) is used and the hounds trained to follow the artificial
scent which means they will not follow any animal scent as they are not trained to do so. The ISPCA also supports ‘hunting
the clean boot’ in which hounds are trained to follow the scent of a human who is willingly involved. Sadly, hunting mammals
with hounds is supported by a majority of TDs and there is little chance of a ban in the near future.
On the introduction of a new animal welfare strategy
The ISPCA has welcomed the government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy which is due to be introduced early in 2020.
This strategy sets out DAFM’s strategy for animal welfare over the coming years and seeks that Ireland be recognised
for its high animal welfare. Whilst we welcome the strategy and are pleased to see DAFM going beyond the five freedoms
and recognising that animals should have a good quality of life and a life worth living, many practices in Ireland which use
animals are incompatible with the strategy. Ireland cannot be recognised for high animal welfare while it still allows live
hare coursing or hunting with hounds, and many farmed animals such as caged laying hens do not have a good quality of
life or a life worth living. We would like to see these issues addressed by the next government with a strong commitment
to better animal welfare.
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