Animal Welfare

Legislation criminalising the abduction of cats and dogs has come into force in Northern Ireland. The Pet Abduction Act 2024 creates specific offences for the abduction of cats and dogs, which the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) says recognises that they are not mere

The ISPCA has urged ministers to abolish the issuing of hare coursing licences and put an end to the "cruel, outdated and barbaric practice". The charity says it believes allowing the practice to continue is incompatible with the animal welfare strategy published by the Department of Agriculture, Fo

A ban on the use of remotely-operated electronic shock collars on dogs and cats is to be slowly phased in. New legislation will allow dog and cat owners who already use electronic shock collars to continue using them as long as they register within three months, while owners not already using them w

Changes to dog breeding laws and practices are necessary to deal with Ireland's "dog crisis", according to a new paper from Fieldfisher. The 39-page paper, prepared by Fieldfisher associate Hannah Unger, director Rory Ferguson and solicitor Dearbhla Walsh on a pro bono basis, reviews Irish legislati

Stealing a dog or a cat is to become a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland under plans backed by the UK government. The Pet Abduction Bill, a private member's bill introduced at Westminster by Southend West MP Anna Firth and now formally backed by government ministers, proposes to create a

Fieldfisher associate Hannah Unger and solicitor Dearbhla Walsh propose reforms to Irish dog breeding legislation. As Christmas draws closer and people across Ireland consider whether a puppy could be the perfect gift, it is important to take a moment and consider whether this is a right decision to

Northern Ireland's leading animal welfare charity has called for tougher sentences for animal abusers after a man who kicked a cat to death received only three months' imprisonment. Mark Carson, 44, this week lost an appeal against his three-month sentence in Coleraine County Appeal Court. He previo

The Animal Law Foundation has threatened legal action against the UK government over the practice of boiling lobsters alive, which it says is illegal. The charity has penned a letter to ministers urging them to enforce laws that mandate humane treatment of recognised sentient beings during their sla

Legislation strengthening restrictions in relation to the practice of cropping the ears of dogs will come into effect this Friday. Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue has signed the Ear-Cropping of Dogs Regulations 2023 into law with effect from 1 September 2023.

New restrictions on the ownership and importation of dogs with cropped ears are set to be introduced in the coming weeks. Cropping — the removal of part or all of the pinnae or auricles, the external visible flap of the ear — is considered cruel and already banned under section 16(b) of

Basking sharks have been granted new legal protection in Ireland. New regulations, taking effect today, confer "protected wild animal" status on the basking shark under section 23 of the Wildlife Act 1976.

Animal abusers could be jailed for up to five years if they upload content depicting their cruelty to social media. Judges have been told to give out heavier sentences if people convicted of animal cruelty share media of such acts online, like West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma. The RSPCA is prosecuting

A ban on the farming of animals primarily for their fur or skin has come into effect in Ireland. The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was approved by the Oireachtas last week, includes provision for compensation for the farmers affected.

Boiling lobsters alive will become a crime under new UK government plans which will recognise crustaceans and molluscs as sentient beings with the ability to feel pain. Ministers are expected to back a proposed amendment to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, extending its protections for vertebrat

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has announced Government agreement to the drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021. This Bill, for which Mr McConalogue is seeking early pre-legislative scrutiny, provides for: