Mid & East Antrim has tonight unanimously passed an Ulster Unionist motion calling for increased support for and awareness of animal welfare.
The motion was proposed by Cllr Mark McKinty and seconded by Cllr Miss Lindsay Millar, and read as follows:
“This Council regards cruelty against animals as a despicable crime; believes that more could be done to protect animals from cruelty and prevent reoffending, including the exploration of stricter punishments and raising awareness of animal cruelty and proper reporting methods. Therefore, this Council calls on the Minister for Justice to work with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and local Councils to make it compulsory that those convicted of animal cruelty be prohibited from owning animals for a minimum period of time, establish and place those convicted of animal cruelty on a central register and outlaw the transferring of any animals to anyone on this register.”
On proposing the motion, Cllr McKinty said “Animal cruelty is a major issue, although I prefer to refer to this wider topic as the treatment of animals. It is an area in which Councils have a role, yet I would like to see local government play a bigger part, particularly in terms of reporting structures.”
“This motion is timely, as in little over 3 weeks families across this area will potentially have a new addition in the form of a pet given as a Christmas present. Yet in 2, 4 or 6 months, when the novelty wears off and the cost of owning a pet is fully appreciated, many of these end up in classified ads, in animal shelters, or, in the worst cases, abandoned completely.”
“Indeed it is also timely for another reason. On 25 October 2015 in Palma, Spain, a man was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment for beating a racehorse and leaving it for dead. The horse, which had previously earned the man a considerable amount of money, didn’t perform its best in a race and this was the outcome. This case was the first custodial sentence for animal cruelty in Spain, and is a welcome precedent at a European level. Further, when the defence applied for a suspended sentence, the judge denied this on the grounds that it would send out a negative lesson to others.”
“Keeping an animal is a huge responsibility, but those of us who are pet owners know, it is a wonderful experience, often lasting more than a decade. I ask members to support the motion to help ensure that the experience is just as enjoyable for the animals in question.”
Cllr Millar, seconding the motion, stated; "I pay tribute to the councillors in Belfast City Council with whom this motion originated earlier in the year. I am pleased that the elected members of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have unanimously agreed that cruelty to animals cannot be tolerated in our society. Mid and East Antrim is no stranger to animal cruelty, during the summer I was distressed to learn that a beloved pet cat was blasted with a shot gun in Ballymena. I welcome the fact that this council has now agreed to raise awareness of the proper methods of reporting this crime."
All party-political groupings represented on Mid & East Antrim Borough Council spoke in favour of the motion, and all members present voted in favour.
In closing, Cllr McKinty said: "I wish to thank members for supporting our motion. I believe one measure of a society is how it treats animals, and I hope this motion will contribute towards better welfare of all animals under our care".
ENDS.
Notes to editor: photo attached - Cllr Lindsay Millar and Cllr Mark McKinty pictured in The Braid tonight.
Full text of proposer's speech:
“Animal cruelty is a major issue, although I prefer to refer to this wider topic as the treatment of animals. It is an area in which Councils have a role, yet I would like to see local government play a bigger part, particularly in terms of reporting structures.”
“This motion is timely, as in little over 3 weeks families across this area will potentially have a new addition in the form of a pet given as a Christmas present. Yet in 2, 4 or 6 months, when the novelty wears off and the cost of owning a pet is fully appreciated, many of these end up in classified ads, in animal shelters, or, in the worst cases, abandoned completely.”
“Indeed it is also timely for another reason. On 25 October 2015 in Palma, Spain, a man was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment for beating a racehorse and leaving it for dead. The horse, which had previously earned the man a considerable amount of money, didn’t perform its best in a race and this was the outcome. This case was the first custodial sentence for animal cruelty in Spain, and is a welcome precedent at a European level. Further, when the defence applied for a suspended sentence, the judge denied this on the grounds that it would send out a negative lesson to others.”
“It is this educational point which is central to this motion. For too long in Northern Ireland, cases of animal abuse have been dealt with far too leniently, if even at all. There is little deterrent, and personally speaking, I would advocate an animal abuse register so that repeat of offences are taken into consideration upon reoffending. It is also incumbent on us all to raise awareness of animal cruelty and how to report it, from animal abuse, involving violence, to mistreatment, including locking up animals for extended periods. We hope to contribute to that awareness-raising, but also trigger a change within local and regional government, and the legal system. Keeping an animal is a huge responsibility, but those of us who are pet owners know, it is a wonderful experience, often lasting more than a decade. I ask members to support the motion to help ensure that the experience is just as enjoyable for the animals in question.”
