‘It’s absolutely disgusting’ – Concerns raised over illegal cock-fighting in Tipperary
Concerns over illegal cock-fighting in Tipperary have been raised at council level, with claims that roosters are being kept in back gardens for fighting.
Sinn Féin councillor Annemarie Ryan raised the issue at the January meeting of the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District, saying she had been made aware of people in the area keeping roosters in their gardens.
"People keeping roosters in their back garden that are being used for fighting, which is absolutely disgusting, does it come under the environment section, or does it come under ISPCA?
"We’ve had issues with this before when they were in council properties, and the council intervened at the time, but I’m aware that people living in private properties are keeping them,” Cllr Ryan said.
"They’re being kept in cages, it’s different from them being found out at night, but the actual keeping of roosters in backyards in urban or rural areas, could I get a bit of advice on that?” the Sinn Féin councillor added.
In response, Denis Holland from the environment section said that the council has no jurisdiction, but that there may be planning issues as a result of where the roosters are housed.
"If they’re being housed, the question may arise – is there planning permission for a shed or a garage?
"Otherwise, we don’t have any role or an enforcement role, it’s an animal welfare issue, it would be the Department of Agriculture,” Cllr Ryan was told.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Ryan said that the gardaí had been informed, and that she would contact animal welfare groups in an attempt to clamp down on the problem.