The Northern Ireland public has the power to demand action on animal welfare legislation from prospective political representatives seeking a seat in Stormont.
The USPCA is asking for voters to directly challenge candidates on their doorsteps ahead of their choices in the voting booths in the May 5 election.
This year more than ever, politicians are door knocking with dogs by their side in a bid it seems, to demonstrate their love of animals, a sure-fire winner for many voters.
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In response the USPCA says it is time to pile the pressure on and demand straight answers and commitment from the people seeking public support.
The charity is running their Act for Animals campaign listing four key issues around animal welfare legislation to protect animals in Northern Ireland.
They are:
- the introduction ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs,
- greater enforcement and regulation of the puppy trade,
- the introduction of a banned offenders register and,
- the impending indiscriminate badger cull recently announced by DAERA.
The USPCA’s CEO Brendan Mullan said: “The outgoing Assembly voted against introducing a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs, did not afford time to consider a private members bill which would have enhanced the regulations around the cruel puppy trade and the DAERA Minister announced a cull of badgers - a protected species.
“Our incoming Assembly needs to do better, and we all now have the opportunity to use our vote to enhance animal welfare in Northern Ireland. We are asking the public to challenge election candidates to commit to better enforcement and regulation of the puppy trade, vote against an indiscriminate badger cull, support a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs and support the introduction of a banned offenders register.
“Animals play an essential role in our community and natural environment, enhancing our quality of life – but at the same time, can be taken for granted or worse still, abused. As a compassionate society, we must recognise our duty to protect all animals – be that our much-loved companion animals or our native wildlife. The public has demonstrated time and time again, their appetite to see real change in animal welfare here in Northern Ireland.”
A recent poll commissioned by the Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group, Lucidtalk found that 83% of respondents agreed there is urgent need of improvement in the enforcement of current animal welfare law here.
And as prospective Stormont candidates hit the election trail, the USPCA is asking the public to put the questions around animal welfare commitment to the test.
Brendan added, “We thank our supporters for rallying behind our campaigning work and look forward to their continued support in the months ahead. We all play an important role in shaping Northern Ireland’s political landscape for the next five years – we hope Northern Ireland has a future in which animals are afforded the protections they deserve.
“Although there has been greater awareness of the issues above in the Assembly over this past year, there have been significant delays for Bills such as Lucy’s Law NI, as well as votes against the enhancements of specific legislation - notably the controversial vote against introducing a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs which occurred in December 2021.
“We thank our supporters for rallying behind our campaigning work and look forward to their continued support in the months ahead. We all play an important role in shaping Northern Ireland’s political landscape for the next five years – we hope Northern Ireland has a future in which animals are afforded the protections they deserve.”
