Dspca

[liamdelaney 2,587]

https://www.(!64.56:886/photo.php?fbid=10152237538260678&set=a.191513565677.128351.57525210677&type=1&relevant_count=1

[Bryan 1,362]

Bigger problem is the people behind that post (DSPCA) have become authorised officers under the new animal health and welfare bill

[HGN 150]

Is this actually the case and what powers do they have - I saw no mention of them in the statute?

[Bryan 1,362]

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/legislation/AnimalHealthandWelfareAct060314.pdf includes provision for increased powers for authorised officers to investigate complaints of animal cruelty, and stricter penalties on convictions.

New penalties for convictions include powers granted to a judge to ban a person from owning an animal and a maximum five-year prison sentence.

The new law allows authorised officers, including gardaí, Department of Agriculture representatives and officers from animal welfare groups, such as the ISPCA, to investigate complaints of animal cruelty in private homes and impose on-the-spot fines.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Coveney said this is a huge piece of legislation, which quite dramatically changes the approach to animal welfare in Ireland.

He said: “This allows both the guards and our vets, and indeed authorised officers that are trained from welfare organisations, to intervene, to fine people potentially, to take cases to court.

[Ggib 370]

thats some of the worst news ive heard in ages, some poor animal owners are going to suffer at the hands of these people