AQW 13350/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 25/01/2021
Answered On Date: 29/01/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice how many convictions there were for offences relating to animal cruelty in each year since 2015.

Answer:

The information requested is provided in the following table. The most recent year for which information is available is 2019.

Convictions at court for animal cruelty offences, 2015 - 2019

Year	Convictions
2015	50
2016	65
2017	51
2018	68
2019	50

Note:

1. Figures relate to cases prosecuted by PPS on behalf of PSNI or other bodies.

2. Figures relate to initial disposal at court only. Results of appeals are not included.

3. Figures relate to cases with a prosecution or conviction for at least one animal cruelty related offence under the legislation specified.

4. Animal cruelty offences included are relevant offences under Welfare of animals Act 1972, Wildlife Act 1985, Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011, Welfare of Animals Act 2011, Welfare of Livestock Regulations (NI) 1995, Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.

5. Convictions for offences in respect of Wildlife legislation are not included.