SOCIAL Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara called for the Council to write to Minister of Agriculture, Martin Heydon, urging him to support Stout’s Law, a legislative campaign advocating for stricter animal cruelty laws, particularly in cases of unethical backyard breeding and puppy farming.
Speaking at September’s Metropolitan District meeting, Cllr Hickey-O’Mara shone a light on what he deemed the “dark corners in this country and our collective acceptance of how animals are treated here is a black mark against us”.
He said that “Ireland is a country that absolutely loves their dogs, there’s no denying that, but sadly this is also a country that has long been known as the puppy farming capital of Europe where a €200million a year industry has been allowed to run rampant, leading to widespread abuse and cruelty.”
He went on to highlight Stout’s Law, a campaign by Tara O’Connor and Kevin Keegan in memory of their puppy, Stout, who, at 11 weeks, was euthanised as a result of abuse he suffered at the hands of a backyard breeder.
“Stout was discovered locked in a shed in early June of this year, and out of the three litters discovered in that shed, he was the only one to make it to a month old, with the remainder having to be put to sleep due to illness and neglect,” Cllr Hickey-O’Mara told Council members.
He said that “Stout never gained the use of his legs and had to be carried in a sling for the remainder of his life due to his bone lesions and skeletal deformities”.
While Stout’s owners hoped veterinary care and physiotherapy might give him a better chance at life, the beloved puppy inevitably had to be put to sleep.
“Many have been affected by the meagre legislation in this area, I’ve heard so many stories of dogs bought from puppy farmers and backyard breeders, or who were rescued and later adopted, who have serious medical issues placing huge emotional stress and financial strain on families,” Cllr Hickey-O’Mara said.
“One of my own family members rescued two dogs who had originally come from a puppy farm, one of the dogs has severe hip dysplasia while the second has recently begun having seizures. Goodness knows the conditions they were born into or what happened to their littermates and their mother.”
Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan seconded her party colleague’s motion, taking the view that current legislation does not adequately deter individuals from committing acts of cruelty against animals.
“We need strict laws on this. We are a city and county of animal lovers, and it’s about time there was laws to stop this cruel treatment of animals and to stop these awful dog breeders. It’s disgusting,” Cllr O’Donovan declared.
