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Judge's gravel. Lifetime dog ownership ban.

Waterford Woman Receives Lifetime Dog Ownership Ban

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A lifetime dog ownership ban was imposed on a Waterford woman at Lismore District Court sitting in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on Friday the 5th December.

Sandra Hennessy (63) of Dunmoon, North Tallow, Co Waterford, was sentenced before Judge John O’Leary after pleading guilty to 22 summons under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs at her former address at Dyrick, Ballinamult, Co Waterford, on dates between July 2024 and February 2025.

The offences were contrary to Sections: 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

Around eighty dogs were involved in this dog neglect case which was investigated by the NSPCA inspector Alice Lacey.

In her evidence to the court, Inspector Lacey said she first visited Ms Hennessy’s house on 23 July 2024 as a result of an animal welfare concern.

Waterford Woman Receives Lifetime Dog Ownership Ban Read Post »

Ban Foxhunting Poll. Campaign to Ban Fox Hunting.

Campaign to Ban Fox Hunting Receives 72% Support

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The campaign to ban fox hunting in Ireland has received a major boost with the findings of the latest opinion poll.

The ‘Ireland Thinks’ poll, carried out on behalf of the campaign group Uplift, reported that 72% of Irish people want the cruel bloodsport banned, 17% are against a ban, while 11% of respondents were not sure.

The opinion poll also revealed the 69% of people in Munster want fox hunting banned while in contrast 15% of people in Leinster supported fox hunting.

Ireland Thinks carried out the poll across a sampling of 1,000 people last month. It asked people their views of organised fox hunting that hunt and kill foxes.
The polling results hold a margin of error of 3.1%.

Campaign to Ban Fox Hunting Receives 72% Support Read Post »

Paul Murphy TD.

Defund the Horse and Greyhound Industries – Paul Murphy TD

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Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South-West, has called for the defunding of the horse and greyhound industries.

Budget 26 allocated €99.1, based in accordance with section 12(6) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, with 80%, or €79.3 million, going to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and 20%, equating to €19.8 million, going to Rásaíocht Con Éireann, (RCÉ).

In response, Mr Murphy said, “Public money paid by the State tax-free into the pockets of the wealthy owners. €100 million to a gambling-fuelling, addiction-fuelling industry. Where does the money go? Does it fund the welfare of horses and greyhounds? Does it assure decent pay for workers in the sector?”

Defund the Horse and Greyhound Industries – Paul Murphy TD Read Post »

Greyhounds Racing. Greyhound Deaths.

Greyhound Deaths Continue – 138 Greyhounds Killed at Irish Greyhound Tracks

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Greyhound deaths and injuries continue at Irish greyhound racing tracks.

Figures obtained by the Irish Council Against Bloodsports (ICABS) reveal that 138 greyhounds were killed at tracks around Ireland in the first eight months of 2025. 242 greyhounds suffered injuries at races between January and the end of August 2025 and more than half of them (134) were “euthanised” by track vets. The deaths of four other injured greyhounds are listed as racing fatalities.

The information which was obtained via a Parliamentary Question to Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture by Paul Murphy TD, revealed that the 134 greyhounds who were killed by vets had suffered injuries including:
jugular vein wound, suspected spinal bleed, broken/fractured/dislocated hock, torn tendons, broken calcaneus with bone protruding, broken elbow/wrist/humerus bone, fractured leg/shoulder/wrist/toes/forelimb, dislocated wrist and torn/ruptured Achilles tendon.

Greyhound Deaths Continue – 138 Greyhounds Killed at Irish Greyhound Tracks Read Post »

Badger. Department of Agricutlure.

Department of Agriculture – €660 to kill a badger under the State’s bTB Eradication Programme.

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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has estimated that in 2024, it cost approximately €468 to vaccinate a captured badger and €660 to cull a snared badger.

DAFM said these figures was based on fixed and variable costs associated with capturing and vaccinating a single badger.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, the State’s government spending overseer, who have examined the Ireland’s bTB eradication programme – including the factors that have contributed to the recent increase in the TB rate, were issued those figures by DAFM.

A review was undertaken as to how the programme is operating, and how the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) evaluates the effectiveness of the current bTB programme.

Department of Agriculture – €660 to kill a badger under the State’s bTB Eradication Programme. Read Post »

German shepherds at Meath property. Meath dog breeder.

Meath Dog Breeder Gets 3 Months Prison for German Shepherd Abuse

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Meath dog breeder Gavin Brilly (33), of Clarkstown, Rathmolyon, Co Meath, pleaded guilty at Navan District Court (19 September) to six charges of cruelty and neglect of the dogs on January 26th, 2024.

The case, heard before Judge Éirinn McKiernan, outlined that ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling called to the defendant’s premises in January 2024 with the local dog warden.

He found a total of 11 German shepherd dogs, one of which was deceased, living in kennels that were described as well constructed but poorly maintained. The kennels were filthy with excrement, and some dogs had no beds. They were forced to lie on the soiled concrete resulting in their coats being contaminated.

Meath Dog Breeder Gets 3 Months Prison for German Shepherd Abuse Read Post »

American mink on a rock.

American Mink to Be Targeted by the State

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The American Mink is to be targeted for eradication under the Midlands Mink Eradication Programme.

This three year pilot project, based in the Midlands of Ireland, aims to locate, trap and kill American mink as part of ground nesting bird protection measures.

The project which was launched by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD is a collaboration between the Breeding Waders European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and is supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

American Mink to Be Targeted by the State Read Post »

Heather Humphreys and Animal Abuse Pictures. Irish animal welfare organisations.

Irish Animal Welfare Organisations Reject ‘Heather for President’ Campaign

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Irish animal welfare organisations have rejected the ‘Heather for President’ campaign being conducted by Heather Humphreys in Ireland’s upcoming presidential election campaign.

The 2025 Irish presidential election is due to take place on 24 October 2025. Voters currently have a choice of three candidates, including Heather Humphreys who represents the Fine Gael party. The other candidates are; Jim Gavin, Fianna Fáil and Catherine Connelly, Independent.

The Irish Council Against Bloodsports (ICABS) have highlighted the animal welfare issues record of Ms Humphreys.

In 2013, she voted against an amendment to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to outlaw hare coursing in Ireland.

She also voted against an amendment to the Bill which sought to outlaw fox hunting, terrierwork, digging out, ferreting, badger culling and the use of animals in circus performances.

Irish Animal Welfare Organisations Reject ‘Heather for President’ Campaign Read Post »

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Chief Veterinary Officer, June Fanning, at the launch of the Bovine TB Action Plan Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland. Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) Action Plan Launched – Badger Killing Continues

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A Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) action plan has been launched by Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

The Bovine TB Action Plan Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland is in response to the increasing level of the disease in Ireland.

In 2024, over 6,000 farms were affected by a bTB outbreak as the herd incidence increased to 6.04%.

The operating cost of the national bovine TB programme stood at €100.616 million in 2024.

The publication of bTB action plan follows extensive discussions at the TB Forum and meetings between the Minister, stakeholders and farm organisations in recent months.

Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) Action Plan Launched – Badger Killing Continues Read Post »

Corgi Dog sitting on a bed. Dog-friendly accommodation.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Ireland – PetFriendly.ie Can Lead You There

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Every dog needs a break. Climb a mountain. Jump in a lake.

In Ireland, taking your dog on a staycation, or if you are planning a visit with your dog to this country, can involve a search to find dog-friendly accommodation.

PetFriendly.ie, a recently launched website dedicated to helping dog lovers easily find pet-friendly accommodation throughout Ireland, covering north, south, east and west.

Whether you are seeking a cosy B&B in the countryside, a luxurious hotel escape, a charming townhouse or a country house by the sea, PetFriendly.ie offers a selection of over 100 accommodations where your pet is genuinely welcome.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Ireland – PetFriendly.ie Can Lead You There Read Post »

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan. Louth TD

Louth TD Erin McGreehan Calls for a National Animal Welfare Office

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Louth TD Erin McGreehan has called for the setting up of a dedicated office and national director for Animal Welfare under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food (DAFM).

The Fianna Fáil TD made the call as she is concerned about dog welfare issues, including the conduct of puppy farms.

Ms McGreehan has raised animal welfare issues in the Dáil. In a recent Parliamentary Question, she asked the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, if he would establish a national office for animal welfare and appoint a National Director to develop, coordinate and implement animal welfare policies.

Louth TD Erin McGreehan Calls for a National Animal Welfare Office Read Post »

A Collie dog called Sky. Wicklow woman court case.

Wicklow Woman Disqualified From Keeping Animals for 30 years

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A Wicklow woman has been disqualified from keeping animals for 30 years.

Sarah Cullen (22) with an address at Asgard Close, Arklow, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty at Arklow, Co. Wicklow District Court (23 July) to four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013. The offences include one of obstructing an authorised officer.

The court heard evidence from ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling, who described how he called to the defendant’s home on Tuesday 9th April 2024, in response to a report received from a concerned member of the public.

Wicklow Woman Disqualified From Keeping Animals for 30 years Read Post »

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