Northern Irelands Only Horse Slaughtering House Stops

“This might just be about the shortest post I have ever done, but it’s certainly one that’s made me the happiest, hence the slideshow of noble equines! Just a shame more can’t follow suit!! “Seriously, look at the beautiful, graceful equines below; then tell me why anyone; would want to eat one?? I’d bet every breed of horse below, has gone to a slaughterhouse, somewhere in the world; often looking as good as they do in the pictures! It’s not just the old & sick horses they slaughter, they want nice fit, healthy horses too!!”

Published on 14/04/2013 11:39

THE only approved horse–slaughtering house in Northern Ireland has stopped killing horses, the Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has revealed.

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She explained that the Armagh plant asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to remove its authorisation and stopped killing horses at the end of January.

“There was one slaughter plant in County Armagh approved by the FSA for equine slaughter,” she explained.

“This establishment is also approved for the slaughter of cattle and sheep. It ceased slaughtering horses completely on 25th January 2013 and has asked the FSA to completely remove their authorisation to slaughter equines.”

She said this was the only establishment approved by the FSA to slaughter horses in Northern Ireland in recent times.

News Link:-http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/business/local-businesses/ni-s-only-horse-slaughtering-house-stops-1-4974741

Tough penalties pledge on animal cruelty

Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has pledged her support for the full use of tougher penalties for animal welfare abuses.

Highlighting the introduction of stiffer pledges under the Welfare of Animals Act 2011, the Sinn Féin Minister said she was “totally committed to protecting and safeguarding animal welfare.”

Anyone found guilty of such offences now faces two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The court can also disqualify any person convicted of an animal welfare offence from keeping an animal.

In the past, those convicted faced 3 months’ imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine. The Minister’s statement came as a result of a debate at Stormont on Monday which was attended by the owners of a pet dog put to sleep following an act of cruelty that stunned the public. Cody the collie was covered in flammable liquid and set on fire close to her family home in Maghaberry, Co Antrim last month.

Despite efforts to try and save her – Cody lost her fight for life. She was put down because the burns to her skin were too severe. Minister O’Neill said: “I believe that the new tough penalties introduced by the 2011 Act will be a strong deterrent to thugs who would carry out such barbaric welfare abuses as the recent Cody case.

“I support the full use of the extended sentences available for serious animal welfare offences to include longer periods of imprisonment to ensure that perpetrators receive a punishment that fits the crime. “I intend to meet the Minister of Justice to ensure that the Courts are encouraged to make full use of the range of penalties available for animal welfare offences and in horrific cases like the Cody case to apply the maximum penalties possible.”

The shocking episode of cruelty has resulted in fresh calls for tougher sentences. The DUP want greater prison sentences made available to the judiciary. Paul Givan MLA, Chair of the Justice Committee, told UTV: “If somebody can attack a defenceless animal like this then we have a concern – what could they do to a human being?”

Ms O’Neill highlighted a recent successful prosecution under the 2011 act. “I am pleased to note that in one of the first cases the PSNI has recently secured a successful prosecution at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court where a defendant was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog under the 2011 Act. The defendant was fined £250 and prohibited from keeping animals for five years.” The minister concluded: “The public should be in no doubt that causing unnecessary suffering, including deliberate acts of cruelty to domestic pets, will not be tolerated and that the perpetrators will be punished.”

Animal welfare charity, the USPCA, has welcomed the Stormont debate. David Wilson, of the charity, said: “It’s 30 years of Cinderella for animal welfare legislation. 2011 saw the new Animal welfare act. 2012 has saw full implementation. We welcome any moves to increase penalties.” Cody’s case is not isolated. A litter of kittens was saved from a group of boys in Londonderry earlier this month, who were trying to set the animals on fire. It is believed some of the children involved in the incident were as young as nine years old.

Mr Wilson says an increase in penalties in itself is not the answer – but increased enforcement is also needed. “By increasing penalties [it] doesn’t actually improve the situation unless we have adequate and proper enforcement.” He said the USPCA attended a meeting recently with their counterparts in Europe and the Commission where the issue of enforcement is being pressed “That would be our message – better enforcement.”stiffer

Video & News Link:-http://www.u.tv/News/Tough-penalties-pledge-on-animal-cruelty/a59d32a9-5891-4de5-8294-b3cb741e2560

PETITION: For LENNOX! tell Eukanuba and Purina Dog Chow to pull their support from the Belfast Kennel Club Dog Show on September 29-30th 2012

On September 29th and 30th, the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland will host the much anticipated World Cup Dog Show. Much of the event will be sponsored by Purina Dog Chow and Eukanuba and will draw the attention of dog-lovers worldwide.

However, in light of some recent tragic events, many question whether Belfast is truly an inappropriate city to host the show.

There was as global outrage earlier this month when the Belfast City Council (BCC) ignored over 200,000 petitions from animal rights activists and executed a six-year-old Labrador/American bulldog mix named Lennox. The BCC had seized the dog in 2010, claiming that Lennox’s unpredictability made him a threat to the general public.

However, Lennox’s owner, Caroline Barnes, maintains that Lennox merely had anxiety issues and was generally a loving pet, forming a close bond with her young daughter. Nevertheless, citing new Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) – a law permitting the automatic destruction of animals that threaten public safety – the BCC sentenced Lennox to death.

In order to seek justice for Lennox, and to take a stand against Belfast’s unreasonable BSL legislation, sign the petition requesting that Eukanuba and Purina Dog Chow pull their support from the event.

There are still two months left for these main sponsors to select an alternative city for the show – it should be a city that treats all of its animals with respect rather than killing them arbitrarily. Take action in honor of Lennox!

Please sign the petition for Lennox

http://www.causes.com/causes/644857-let-s-turn-facebook-orange-for-animal-cruelty-awareness/actions/1667000?utm_source=causes&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WE386F&causes_ref=email&template=newsletter_mailer/newsletter