Animal Cruelty Case Response

Animal abusers ‘should face full force of the law’ - read full article here. 

The level of violence in this case, exerted on two defenceless animals, was shocking. Would the courts have issued a community service order rather than a prison sentence had the victims been human beings – I suspect not. Northern Ireland has some of the toughest penalties for animal cruelty but unfortunately, yet again, the courts have failed to use them.

We believe any person found guilty of harming an animal should face the full force of the law and the sentencing provisions we have here in Northern Ireland for animal cruelty. The Courts must send a clear message to such individuals that these violent and cruel actions are not tolerated and will have consequences.

This case is also a reminder of the need to establish a Banned Offenders Register  – individuals receiving bans on owning animals should be placed on a register to ensure they cannot obtain another animal that could be subjected to their abuse. We need the creation of this register to be a priority in the incoming Assembly.