Call for dedicated Tipperary animal welfare committee
There have been calls for Tipperary County Council to establish a dedicated animal welfare committee, aimed at improving animal welfare across the county.
Labour party councillor Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan will table a motion calling for the establishment of the committee at the upcoming plenary meeting of the local authority.
In his motion, Cllr Brennan said that currently, animal welfare issues often involve multiple parties, while having a dedicated committee would improve communications and outcomes for animals involved.
As part of the motion, the animal welfare committee will facilitate better communication between the council, the gardaí, the Department of Agriculture, the ISPCA, as well as vets and animal welfare organisations, and would be able to make recommendations on issues around horse control, dog control, farm animal welfare and abandoned or neglected animals.
The committee would also examine enforcement challenges and suggest opportunities for improved multi-agency cooperation, as well as promoting public awareness of responsible animal ownership and welfare standards.
The overall aim of the committee would be to improve animal welfare across Tipperary, according to Cllr Brennan.
"Animal welfare issues in Tipperary frequently involve multiple agencies and require coordinated response. Establishing a dedicated committee will strengthen communication, improve enforcement outcomes, and support local rescues.
"The committee would ensure that Tipperary County Council continues to meet its responsibilities under national animal welfare legislation and the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Welfare Strategy,” he added.
The proposed committee would operate as a sub-group of the Environment and Climate Action Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), and will report to the SPC on a quarterly basis.
Under the plans, Cllr Brennan said that the animal welfare committee would introduce penalties for breaches of animal welfare laws, including fines and cost recovery for enforcement actions.
The motion is due to be debated by all 40 councillors in Tipperary at the council’s full meeting next week.