"Actions taken remain commensurate with the severity of welfare offences." - Catherine Fisher, Head of Animal Health and Welfare Policy in DAERA.

Shows increase in prosecutions compared to previous year

The Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published its 2018 Animal Welfare Statistical Report. Highlighting the broad animal welfare enforcement regime in Northern Ireland.

The report outlines the work carried out by DAERA, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and local councils in regards to enforcing animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland. Providing clear comparisons with previous years of animal welfare complaints and actions taken.

Head of Animal Health and Welfare Policy in DAERA, Catherine Fisher, said: “The report demonstrates that all three enforcement bodies utilised the full range of options available to them under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to progress animal welfare cases or to take action to deal with alleged offences. Actions taken remain commensurate with the severity of welfare offences."

Patricia Allen, chair of the Animal Welfare Strategic Project Board said: "Councils give a high priority to the welfare of domestic pets and horses, and operate a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements."

Despite a relatively small increase in the total number of complaints received compared to previous years, there were still 9,553 inspections carried out this year in Northern Ireland.

The report also notes a significant increase in completed prosecutions compared to last year, totalling 42 in 2018. Of these, 11 resulted in a conviction, compared to 9 in 2017. The total number of animals seized was 106, a marked increase on last year’s 54.

Superintendent Brian Kee, service lead for rural and wildlife crime in the PSNI said that the PSNI “will continue to work with our partners in DAERA and councils to ensure those responsible for animal cruelty are investigated accordingly.”