Debate contribution: Register of Animal Welfare Offenders

Debate contribution by Mr Tom Buchanan on 22 October 2024.

MLA

Mr Tom Buchanan

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

22 October 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Register of Animal Welfare Offenders

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4608520

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank all the participants in today's debate. The creation of a register of animal welfare offenders is an essential step in the protection of our animals from the hands of those who treat them with such cruelty, inflicting untold pain on them and, in some cases, leaving them to die in some of the most horrendous circumstances. I am sure that everyone in the Chamber has, at some stage, seen photographs or videos of animals that have been in a very poor condition. Therefore, we must all strive to ensure that animals in our society, whether farmed animals or pets, are cared for and treated appropriately; that those who abuse animals are punished and pay the price for what they have done; and that those with statutory and legal responsibilities for animals' care and welfare and for enforcement have the required support and resources to carry out their responsibilities. In the absence of a register of animal welfare offenders, bans on convicted offenders are particularly worthless. Offenders can be banned by the courts one week but, within a few weeks, can acquire animals again and reappear in court on further cruelty charges, simply as a result of the fact that the authorities and rehoming charities and other responsible bodies have no knowledge of those individuals' status. If we are serious about avoiding repeat harm and taking a preventative approach to crime that impacts animals, we cannot shrink from our responsibility to exhaust all avenues to make progress on the matter. While there are complex issues around data protection, human rights and cost, those must be addressed and overcome. The lack of a central banned offenders register means that reputable dealers and rehoming charities do not have access to the information that they require to vet individuals who express an interest in purchasing, rehoming or assuming care of an animal. It also results in police officers and animal welfare officers being unaware of whether a potential offender is banned from owning animals when they investigate fresh complaints. Another approach that we need to consider is raising awareness among our young people and educating them about responsible ownership and the value of animals. That should go a long way towards rooting out the evil crime against our animals, but the register is one of the main things that we need the Minister to introduce. I will focus on some issues that were raised on the Floor today. My colleague, in proposing the motion, spoke about enforcement measures and said that they needed to be robust and effective. That is the big difficulty: the measures are not robust and effective enough to cut out the problem. She spoke about her disappointment with DAERA cutting financial resources to councils and pointed out that, in 2016, seven councils called for the establishment of an animal welfare register. She said that the cut in funding will have devastating effects on councils that are seeking to carry forward their work on animal welfare issues. She also talked about data protection and cited other areas around the world where such a register is already in place. Declan McAleer spoke of the importance of government agencies working together to address this important issue. It is key that Departments all work collectively to address the issues that we have before us. John Blair said that his party takes the issue seriously. Well, his party has the AERA Ministry and the responsibility sits there, so let us see whether the Minister will now take positive action on the issue. It is all very well to stand up in the House and say that they take the matter seriously, but let us see what positive action will be taken following the debate. Robbie Butler spoke of the USPCA proposals to strengthen animal welfare. Of course, the USPCA brought forward proposals, raised concerns and talked about how the Assembly should take note of the issues. Mr McGlone supported the call for the Minister to move forward with the establishment of a register for those convicted of animal welfare crimes. He spoke about a public petition that was brought to the House some time ago. He said that our key priority should be to ensure that a register is established in order to protect the animals in our society. Áine Murphy spoke of the Welfare of Animals Act of 2011 and said that more work is needed to strengthen it. She mentioned the problems around data protection and the requirement for updated data on offenders. She said that we must remain steadfast on the protection of our animals. There is a clear message coming from around the House today that we all need to stand steadfast on the protection of our animals. My colleague Joanne Bunting said that she is extremely passionate about the issue. She talked about the bizarre position that there is no record of the people who are already banned from keeping animals. That is where the downfall is: there is no record of those who are banned from keeping animals. She spoke of work that was done in the House in the past and said that all that remains is for the Minister to pick up the mantle and progress with the register. I think that everyone around the House will agree with that: it is up to the Minister to pick up the mantle of the work that has already been done and take it forward. She said that sentences must be enforced but it is impossible to do that without a register. She said that we should move forward and get it done rather than paying more lip service to it. While we have paid lip service to it around the Chamber today, let us now make progress and get something done about it. My colleague Stephen Dunne spoke of the important role for the Department, the councils and the PSNI and mentioned the need for a more joined-up approach. While councils and other agencies have responsibilities, it is up to the Department to give the lead to the councils. We have 11 councils that perhaps do different things, but, if the Department were to take the lead and set the standard for them, the councils would all take the same approach. Again, there is a role for the Department there. My colleague talked about the inconsistent approach in the justice system and said that a stronger deterrent is required. He also said that those who have been charged must be held accountable for their actions.

He spoke of the love that domestic animals bring and how many families across Northern Ireland have that love for the domestic animals.

My colleague Phillip Brett, a member of the all-party group on animal welfare, spoke about animal cruelty and how those involved are a scourge on society. We all agree that those involved in animal cruelty are a scourge. It is morally imperative that we, as legislators, put in place legislation that is as strong as possible to stop animal cruelty. The Minister set out the legislative process that exists. He said that action will be taken where a breach is detected. He wants this to be a place where animals are protected and valued. He raised some concern about data processing and data protection. Minister, all those issues can be overcome. Where there is a will, there is a way, and if you are prepared to take this forward, there is no doubt that legislation on a register for animal welfare offenders can be brought to the House and supported. Therefore I commend the motion to the House.

1,275 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:28 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification