Debate contribution: Review of Local Councils’ Animal Welfare Policies
Debate contribution by Mr Maolíosa McHugh on .
- MLA
- Mr Maolíosa McHugh
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 6 May 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Review of Local Councils’ Animal Welfare Policies
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4929803
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I support the motion and affirm my commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare across the North. The way that we treat animals reflects our values as a society. I commend the vital work of Dogs Trust and other rehoming organisations and charities. Their dedication, often in the face of limited resources, is inspiring. They step in when public systems struggle, and they deserve our deepest gratitude. The Assembly must ensure that our current animal welfare system is working in councils. We must support councils to achieve that. The policy of euthanising healthy animals after a short period is unacceptable. It reflects not a lack of compassion from front-line staff but a failure of the system in which they work and the support that they need. That is why I welcome the call for a review of council dog pound and kennelling policies. We must have a standardised approach across all councils that prioritises animal welfare, ensures regular unannounced inspections and enforces the licensing of all establishments. However, we cannot ask councils to do more with less. I am disappointed that funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to support councils in fulfilling their statutory animal welfare duties has been cut. It appears that it is the responsibility of councils to deal with non-farmed animals. That decision undermines the very goal that we are trying to achieve today. If we are to expect councils to carry out thorough enforcement, compassionate care and proper oversight, we must give them the resources to do so. The motion is not just about policies; it is about principle and compassion. Let us give councils the tools that they need, support the organisations that do essential work and ensure that no healthy dog is excluded due to systemic failures.
298 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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