Little pup Sparky was beaten to death with a hammer
Cllr Cusack said that in spite of robust legislation to punish offenders, that there was no central register of those convicted of animal cruelty offences which would prevent further animals being placed in their care.
She said: “Over the last number of weeks, we’ve seen a number of high profile examples of how cruel and inhumane people can be to the animals placed in their care.
“The acid attack on a Staffordshire terrier in Newry and the admission by a man in Lurgan that he beat a puppy to death with a hammer are just two grotesque examples of how some animals have been treated.
“We also have documented incidents in our own City and District.
“Those responsible for these heinous crimes should face the full force of the law. Luckily we have a robust framework for punishing those found guilty of these offences.
“I am concerned, however, that we have no central register of those convicted of animal cruelty.
“That means that we could be left in a situation where animals are inadvertently rehomed to banned persons, increasing the risk of serial offending.
“We need to provide shelters and animal charities with every resource to tackle cruelty and abuse.
“Providing an all-island register of animal abusers would help identify individuals who have been banned from adopting new animals and prevent the kind of unimaginable suffering that some pets have been exposed to here.”
Cllr Cusack will table the following motion at Derry City and Strabane District Council this Thursday, July 18:
“This council condemns animal cruelty in all forms; notes the effective framework currently in place for punishing offenders and imposing appropriate sentences which serve as a deterrent to others; recognises the work of the USPCA in challenging cruel behaviour toward animals as well as supporting rehoming initiatives for those animals that have suffered abuse or neglect; further notes with concern that there is no central register of those convicted of animal cruelty offences and; resolves to write to the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice, and the British and Irish Governments to raise these concerns and propose a central all-island register for animal abusers.”
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