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

R.I.P Cody, the collie dog who was set on fire, is put to sleep

Cody, a collie dog who was set on fire in County Antrim, two weeks ago, has died.

The three-year-old suffered serious injuries after it was doused with flammable liquid and set alight in Maghaberry.

She was put to sleep on Saturday night.

Still suffering: Cody looks in pain at the vets today, three days after the brutal attack

Her owners posted on the Justice for Cody the dog Facebook page on Sunday that she had been getting worse from Fridayand the vets had tried everything they could.

“We are all gutted, but we know she was suffering and was only going to get even worse,” the statement added.

Two people, arrested in connection with the attack, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A police investigation is continuing.

Cody Set On Fire

PSNI Lisburn described the news as “tragic” on their Facebook page and said: “We would like to remind everyone that police are dealing with the matter, and two people have already been arrested.

“All evidence takes an amount of time to process, and when the investigation is complete the matter will be forwarded to the PPS.

“We would appeal for calm.”

News Link:-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19535636

Related Link:–https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/dog-set-on-fire-man-arrested-over-animal-cruelty-attack-in-maghaberry/

Video link of News:-http://www.u.tv/utvplayer/video/146816/120420

Justice for Cody Face Book:–https://www.facebook.com/justiceforcodythedog

HM Government Petition:–http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34522

PLEASE SIGN THE ABOVE PETITION – ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ANIMAL ABUSE

“R.I.P Cody…God Bless”

“May You Forever Run Free”

“Over Rainbow’s Bridge”

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Dog set on fire – Man arrested over animal cruelty attack in Maghaberry

“I was just about to post the original story (I’m still behind) when I saw they had arrested an animal…anybody that sets a dog on fire for their own sadistic pleasure & entertainment can’t be called human!! I hope it’s not long before they find the other one, if indeed their were 2 of them who committed this heinous attack. But, I doubt very much he will be charged & receive the maximum 51 weeks in jail; abusers rarely do! It will probably be 20 weeks & possibly a fine, or both…I know what I would like to do to the cowardly little SXXT & I’m betting I wouldn’t be the only one!”

Police investigating an attack in which a dog was set on fire in County Antrim have arrested a 21-year-old man.

A three-year-old collie dog, called Cody, suffered serious injuries after it was doused with flammable liquid and set alight in Maghaberry nine days ago.

The PSNI had appealed for information about two men who were seen with the dog on Trummery Lane, close to a quarry at about 10:00 BST on 26 August.

The man was detained on Tuesday morning on suspicion of animal cruelty.

News Link:–http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19474265

Related – 29th August 2012

Suspects wanted over dog set on fire in Maghaberry

Police investigating an attack on a dog in Maghaberry have issued descriptions of two people they want to question.

The three-year-old collie dog was doused with flammable liquid and set on fire

The three-year-old collie suffered serious injuries after it was doused with flammable liquid and set alight on Maghaberry Road on Sunday.

A police spokeswoman said two males were seen with the dog at 10:00 BST.

One is described as having dark hair and a faint moustache.

He was carrying a bottle of Buckfast and is said to have had an aggressive demeanour. Both are said to be of thin build with broad shoulders and between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall. 

The second person is thought to have been carrying a white plastic bag.

Police believe they may have been at a house party in Maghaberry the night before, and have appealed for anyone who may recognise the descriptions to contact them.

News Link:–http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19415828

Related – 27 August 2012

A dog has been set on fire by two teenagers in Maghaberry, County Antrim.

The attack happened on Sunday morning and the three-year-old collie has suffered serious injuries.

British and Irish Lions rugby international Stephen Ferris is a friend of the dog’s owners.

Stephen Ferris is a friend of the dog’s owners

He described the attack as “inhumane” and said the dog is “fighting for its life”.

“I was up at the north coast on Saturday and came home to a pretty horrific story of a good friend of mine who lives at the bottom of the village of Maghaberry,” he said.

“Unfortunately his dog, a wee collie called Cody, was set on fire using lighter fluid on Sunday morning.

“I think it is just vandalism of the nastiest sort. “The dog is as friendly as they come. “Hopefully the poor thing can pull through.”

Mr Ferris said the owner of the dog had two small children and that the incident was “pretty disturbing” for the whole family.

“Getting your dog set on fire is a terrible thing to wake up to on a Sunday morning,” he added.

Mr Ferris said he hoped those responsible for the attack would be caught.

News Link:–http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19388993

SSPCA hunting owner of puppy found with two broken legs

“Come on guys, it’s up to us public yet again to find the culprit, somebody must know someone who just got a puppy, now its suddenly gone, anything, please tell the police, no matter how trivial you think it is! Just look at those sad little eye’s…I can’t comprehend how anyone could do such a thing! One things for sure, they are dam cowards, who didn’t deserve the dog in the first place!!

A frail puppy found abandoned in a box in a Fife town is so badly injured vets may have to amputate one of its legs.

The pup was discovered last Sunday night in Methil.

Now the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) is seeking the animal’s owners.

Senior Inspector Steven Gray said it was ”inexcusable” they did not take the dog straight to a vet’s for treatment.

Scotland‘s leading animal welfare charity was called to rescue the five-month-old male collie cross from an address in Methil Brae on Monday.

The residents said they found the pup in a cardboard box on open ground between Methil Brae and Ossian Crescent about 11.30pm the previous evening.

The little black and white pup had suffered twobroken legs, leaving him in pain and unable towalk.

Mr Gray collected the puppy, who has been named Cody, and took him to a vet where he is still receiving treatment.

‘‘Cody has suffered trauma to two of his legs — one is so severe that it may require amputation,” he said.

”I’ve no doubt this wee pup was suffering from a great deal of discomfort and stress when I collected him on Monday as he was completely immobile and had a very high temperature.”

Despite this, Mr Gray said Cody was a ”surprisingly resilient little guy” who had given no cries and appeared to be quietly enduring his injuries.

“Cody is a lovely-natured young dog so we can’t understand why anyone would abandon him while suffering from not one but two leg breaks,” he said.

Causing unnecessary suffering and abandoning an animal are both offences under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to face stiff penalties, including being banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone who recognises Cody and knows who owned him should call the animal charity on 03000 999999.

News Link:–http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Fife/article/23051/sspca-hunting-owner-of-puppy-found-with-two-broken-legs.html