Anvil Press Release, December, 2006 – for immediate release

Contact Miriam Anderson, 0861999512 info@anvilireland.ie 
 

‘Pets’ in Limbo as Government  Shirks Responsibility

Animal welfare lobby and representative group, ANVIL Ireland is calling on the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to allocate ministerial responsibility for ‘pet’ animals as a matter of urgency.


With 16,500 mainly healthy dogs and hundreds of thousands of abandoned cats dying every year, there is an urgent need to control the numbers being produced.

According to ANVIL spokesperson, Miriam Anderson, “We have been informed by Minister Coughlan, that her statutory responsibility relates only to the welfare and protection of farmed animals and does not extend to animals kept as pets. The stark reality for 'pet' or companion animals in Ireland is there is no ministerial or departmental responsibility for their welfare and protection".
 

Despite denying responsibility for ‘pets’, Minister Coughlan announced ex gratia payments to rescue and welfare organisation to the tune of €1,224,000 in December. How can a government minister hand out funding and yet no minister be responsible?
 

Anderson adds, “Without a minister responsible, we cannot move forward in relation to public attitude, funding, or indeed much needed updated legislation.  This is a national scandal and one which successive governments have kept quiet.  Many of the problems relating to the overproduction, abandonment and cruelty to animals comes down more to indifference and apathy rather than to actual 'acts' of cruelty. But it’s an  apathy and indifference that our government is reinforcing by its own neglect.”
 

In any event, the latest funding is up just 1.5% on last year which, according to ANVIL, is a cut in inflation-adjusted terms and an insult to the rescue community who provide a much needed public service.  “In a country awash with unwanted animals, this is totally unacceptable”, says Anderson.  Many independent rescue groups had their funding cut while others were excluded completely.”
 

Anderson says, “At present we are simply producing companion animals for destruction. As part of its campaign, ANVIL will be lobbying for compulsory microchipping and neutering of pet animals, which will lead to a reduction in the number of unwanted pets as well as ensuring traceability of owners.”  
 

For information on how you can make animal welfare an election issue, contact ANVIL atinfo@anvilireland.ie or log onto http://www.anvilireland.ie/ 
 

Ends (377 words)
 

See also Indymedia

Animal Welfare Act, 2006The UK Animal Welfare Act, 2006 came into effect on the 6th of April 2007.  This act covers, prevention of harm, promotion of welfare, licensing and registration, codes of practice and animals in distress, among others.

Further information may be obtained from http://www.opsi.gov.uk/

The Act may be accessed here:

UK Animal Welfare Act, 2006

The Explanatory notes which accompany the Act may be accessed here:

Explanatory Notes