Fines under greyhound welfare laws double in a year
More than twice as many fines were issued for breach of greyhound welfare legislation last year than the year before, the Irish Examiner reports.
A total of 43 fines worth €10,750 were issued under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 in 2017, compared to 20 fines in 2016, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) said.
Welfare officers from the IGB completed 571 inspections in 2016 resulting in 20 fines totalling €5,000.
Despite completing only 477 inspections last year, they handed out a much higher number of fines worth over €10,000.
IGB welfare manager Barry Coleman said: “We believe responsible ownership is essential. Only a small number of owners receive sanctions. Of 477 inspections last year, there were only two where a welfare notice was required.”