Motion

Creating a Register of Animal Welfare Offenders

Motion TitleCreating a Register of Animal Welfare Offenders

Motion TextThat this Assembly believes those convicted of animal cruelty should be prohibited from owning or breeding animals in the future; notes with concern the recent figures from the Department of Justice indicating that between 2018 and 2022, only 12 per cent of convictions for animal welfare offences in Northern Ireland resulted in a custodial sentence; highlights that this is compounded by current bans on keeping animals which have proven ineffective in preventing reoffending; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to work with his Executive colleagues to review safeguards against those with such convictions from later being employed in roles relating to the care of animals; and further calls on the Minister to explore proposals to establish a register of banned animal welfare offenders and make that information readily accessible to animal rehoming charities and reputable pet retailers.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office08/10/2024

Date Selected By Committee08/10/2024

Date of Plenary Debate22/10/2024

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Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Miss Michelle McIlveen	MLA - Strangford
Mr Tom Buchanan	MLA - West Tyrone
Ms Joanne Bunting	MLA - East Belfast
Mr Stephen Dunne	MLA - North Down

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

No amendments tabled were selected for this motion.

Other Amendments Tabled

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
18/10/2024	Leave out all after ‘reoffending’ and insert: ‘further notes with regret the widespread abuse of animals on factory farms; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to reconsider the merits of introducing proposals to ban the cruel and sadistic practice of hunting with dogs; further calls on the Minister to work with his Executive colleagues to review safeguards against those with such convictions from later being employed in roles relating to the care of animals; and calls on the Minister to explore proposals to establish a register of banned animal welfare offenders and make that information readily accessible to animal rehoming charities and reputable pet retailers.'

Tabled Date

Amendment Text

18/10/2024

Leave out all after ‘reoffending’ and insert: ‘further notes with regret the widespread abuse of animals on factory farms; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to reconsider the merits of introducing proposals to ban the cruel and sadistic practice of hunting with dogs; further calls on the Minister to work with his Executive colleagues to review safeguards against those with such convictions from later being employed in roles relating to the care of animals; and calls on the Minister to explore proposals to establish a register of banned animal welfare offenders and make that information readily accessible to animal rehoming charities and reputable pet retailers.'

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Motion

Creating a Register of Animal Welfare Offenders

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