Calls made to animal welfare helpline triple

CALLS made to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Animal Welfare Helpline tripled between 2013 and 2014.

There were just 212 calls to the helpline in 2013, which increased to 652 calls in 2014.

The total number of calls by mid 2015 was 350 indicating that the increase will continue through this year.

The figures were released to Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan (Ind) from the Department through a Parliamentary Question.

Deputy Broughan said:

“We don’t know from these figures whether instances of animal cruelty have also increased or whether people are just less tolerant of such cruelty and more likely to report it.

“There have been some very distressing reports recently of puppy farms and maltreated animals, especially horses.

“I encourage people to continue to report instances of cruelty and for the Minister to take action when necessary.

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Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney said:

“Where it is considered appropriate, follow up action is arranged by inspectors from my department or with the assistance of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA/DSPCA) inspectors under their respective service agreements.

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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides a helpline and email contact to report incidents of suspected animal cruelty.

?¢ The dedicated helpline to report any incidents of animal cruelty is Call Save: 0761 064408 or email [email protected]