DUBLIN, Ireland – The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has issued a warning about the “unprecedented levels” of animal cruelty and welfare concerns. The organization reported a 75% increase in case files submitted for potential criminal prosecution. They also mentioned a 49.3% increase in dogs surrendered due to animal welfare concerns and a 44.25% increase in seizures and surrenders of cats.
The chief animal welfare inspector, Conor Dowling, stated that the ISPCA saw a 36.3% increase in the animals it took into its care by December 1 compared to the same period in 2022. He estimated the possibility of surpassing 1,500 animal seizures by the end of the year, with two-thirds of them being dogs. However, with only nine inspectors countrywide and animal rescues already full, the inspectors have to be very selective and can only take the “worst cases”.
The rise in submitted case files related to animal cruelty and welfare concerns has raised alarms. According to Mr. Dowling, the offenses under the Animal Health and Welfare Act could include failures to care for an animal properly, causing unnecessary suffering by not providing appropriate food, water, or shelter. The penalties under this act include fines of up to €250,000 and up to five years in prison.
One recent case involved more than 115 dogs stacked up on top of each other in wire cages in a home, with the dogs forced to breathe highly corrosive ammonia gas from stale urine, which can cause blindness, lung damage, and even death. Mr. Dowling described the situation as a “perfect storm” due to several factors, including a surge in demand for dogs over the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis leaving some people unable to care for their animals, and an increase in abandonment and neglect as people return to work.
The rehoming of animals has become challenging, and there are not enough homes willing to foster rescues anymore. Mr. Dowling urged people to neuter their cats to reduce the number of suffering kittens. The situation has led to hundreds of suffering kittens in desperate need of homing.
In conclusion, the ISPCA’s warning about the unprecedented levels of animal cruelty and welfare concerns in Ireland highlights the urgency of addressing the current crisis. The increase in case files and animals being taken into care underscores the severity of the situation, as the organization grapples with limited resources and a growing number of animals in need of help.