By
Complaints about the welfare of pets are on the increase. File photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash
PET welfare complaints have risen to their highest level in five years, The Detail can reveal.
The number of complaints across Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas rose from 5,894 in 2019 to 7,143 in 2023 – according to the most recently available figures.
Belfast was a hot spot for complaints, with 5,439 – almost three a day - lodged over the five-year period, compared to 1,716 in Lisburn and Castlereagh.
Over the past few years, several high-profile animal cruelty cases have resulted in prosecutions.
In 2023, a 29-year-old man was convicted and jailed after his pet dog Luna, an American Bull Terrier, was found partially buried in a park in Derry.
During the case, a vet told Derry Magistrate’s Court that Luna had been subjected to months of neglect, was emaciated, and had suffered injuries including broken bones and teeth.
Last year, a woman and her son were fined and banned from keeping pets for a decade after several malnourished dogs and puppies, and a dead dog, which had been partially eaten by two other underfed dogs, were found at a property in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, in 2022.
According to figures obtained by The Detail, councils were involved in 162 prosecutions between 2019 and 2023.
Although not all were successful, sanctions imposed included fines, bans on keeping animals, and in some cases, prison sentences.
However, one authority, Mid Ulster District Council, had no record of any complaints which led to a prosecution.
A spokeswoman for animal charity the USPCA said the figures raised serious issues.
“The USPCA is deeply concerned by low prosecution rates for animal cruelty,” she said.
“With a year-on-year rise in the number of animal cruelty complaints, offenders need to be held accountable.
“This requires increased resources at local council level to strengthen enforcement efforts, improved communication between authorities, charities, and the public on complaints, and stronger collaboration between all enforcement agencies and the USPCA.
“Additionally, a robust, timely, and consistent approach to enforcement is essential to ensure animal welfare laws are properly upheld.
“Animal cruelty must not go unpunished in Northern Ireland.”
The figures also show that, between 2019 and 2023, 1,216 pets were seized following animal welfare complaints – 131 of which were put down.
The number of animals being euthanised decreased over the five-year period.
In 2019, 40 pets were put down across the north. But in 2023 this figure had dropped to 25.
Councils and welfare complaints
Local councils are responsible for dealing with complaints about the welfare of pets.
However, the councils are grouped into five districts – Belfast, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western – meaning that most animal welfare officers cover several council areas.
The Detail asked each district about the level of animal welfare cover they provide.
All said can only respond to complaints during working hours and do not provide a 24/7 service.
A spokesman for Belfast City Council said its dog control officers “are available until 8pm, including weekends”.
No departmental oversight
In February last year, agriculture minister Andrew Muir said he was committed to becoming an advocate for animal welfare.
In his first official visit as minister, he met USPCA volunteers and officials at their offices in Newry, Co Down.
“It is something that I know that we can all agree on that improving animal welfare and stopping animal cruelty should be a priority for everyone,” he said.
When asked about the increase in pet welfare complaints, a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said it had no role in overseeing councils’ response to animal welfare concerns.
“The department maintains productive working relationships with all councils, in relation to animal welfare, and the minister greatly appreciates the work undertaken by individual animal welfare officers, working across the council regions, to complete investigations and pursue prosecutions,” he said.
“However, the department has no role in overseeing or monitoring how councils discharge their statutory responsibilities, under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, and councils remain independent, autonomous bodies, responsible to their own elected representatives.”
Do you have an animal welfare complaint?
For complaints about pets:
•Belfast - 028 90 270431
•Eastern Area (Lisburn & Castlereagh Council, Ards & North Down District Council) - 028 9244 7861
•Northern Area (Mid & East Antrim District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens District Council, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council) - 028 2563 3134
•Southern Area (Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Newry, Mourne & Down) - 028 37 515800
•Western Area (Fermanagh & Omagh, Derry & Strabane, Mid-Ulster) - 028 82 256226 or [email protected]
For complaints about farm animals:
•Complaints about the welfare of farm animals or those kept in riding stables, pet shops, boarding kennels or zoos are handled by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) – 0300 200 7840
For complaints about wildlife crime:
•Complaints about wildlife crime, including badger baiting and deer poaching, are handled by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) - 101