THE Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) launched its annual Inspectorate Report at the end of May, the report highlights the increased number of animal cruelty reports received by the charity, with 17,338 calls for help recorded last year.

A total of 86,549 calls have been received by the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline since 2014 when the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA) was first introduced. The report outlines the 18 prosecutions with which ISPCA Inspectors were involved that were resolved in the courts in 2018. ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspectors carried out 3,494 investigations with 1,102 animals seized or surrendered and taken into ISPCA care.

Since the AHWA came into force the ISPCA Helpline has:

While the ISPCA has been disappointed with the penalties imposed in some cases, it recently saw a three-year prison term handed down to a man who pleaded guilty last October to 30 charges of animal cruelty. This case was the biggest in the ISPCA’s history and involved the removal of 340 dogs and 11 horses.

Speaking about the case the ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said: “This particular case highlighted in the report was almost four years coming to a conclusion. Even though it was so long ago the events of that week are still fresh in the memories of all those who witnessed those scenes. Never in my 20 years’ service have I seen such extreme suffering on such a scale.

“We discovered a number of dead animals scattered around the property, some of which had been used to feed the dogs. It was just harrowing. Although there was an appeal against the severity of the sentence it was dismissed by the Court of Appeal and the original sentence was upheld. The ISPCA felt that this outcome was appropriate.”

The ISPCA is appealing to the Irish Government and the public for more funding to help fight animal cruelty enabling the ISPCA to reach the counties not currently covered. It costs approximately €50,000 to keep an ISPCA Inspector on the road including vehicle costs, veterinary costs, uniform and equipment, administrative support and salary.

With the majority of ISPCA funding received from members of the public and through gifts in wills, the ISPCA relies heavily on public support to continue our work preventing animal cruelty and alleviating animal suffering.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed said: “My Department is pleased to continue its’ support for the work of the ISPCA which being the nation’s largest non-governmental animal welfare organisation means they are at the forefront of animal welfare. The cases highlighted in this report outline the remarkable, and often difficult, work being carried out by the ISPCA team.

“I would encourage members of the public to continue to report suspected animal cruelty concerns to either the ISPCA Helpline or to the helpline operated by my Department so that those responsible for animal cruelty can be held accountable under the law.

“We look forward to continued engagement with the ISPCA to ensure that all animals are fully protected and those responsible for neglecting, abusing or cruelly treating animals are dealt with robustly.”

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