Councillor Deirdre Heney welcomes new Animal Welfare Unit in Dublin City Council

Cllr. Deirdre Heney, today welcomed the prospect of the establishment of a Dublin City Council Animal Welfare Unit and said she is absolutely delighted that the issue of animal welfare in the city is now getting the attention it deserves from within the City Council.

Cllr. Heney said “there is ongoing serious neglect of animals in the capital and Dublin City Council is obligated, as far as is practicable, to take all necessary action to ensure that no unnecessary suffering is allowed to be inflicted on animals in our city.”.

Cllr. Heney said the City Council’s new Oversight Committee on Animal Welfare, will work closely with An Garda Siochána, the Dept. of Agriculture and animal welfare organisations, to bring about positive change to address the continuing issues around care and welfare of animals in Dublin City Council’s functional area.”.

Cllr. Heney said the City Council “needs to ensure that proper care and welfare standards are in place and adhered to in the City Council’s area.”

Deirdre Heney confirmed that “Dublin City Council’s Committee on Animal Welfare, (which got the green light yesterday), will oversee the setting up of the new Animal Welfare Unit which will deal with matters including cruelty, abuse and neglect of animals, the control of horses and dogs, as well as the ongoing operation of the City Council’s dog shelter and horse pound. The Oversight Committee on Animal Welfare will also develop specific policies on the control and care of horses in the city, and contribute to resolving the legal lacuna that currently exists in relation to horse drawn carriages operating in the city.”

Deirdre Heney
Chair of Dog Shelter Tender Specification Committee
Fianna Fáil Councillor/Group Leader on Dublin City Council and
Vice Chair of North Central Area Committee,
30 Collins Avenue East, Killester, Dublin 5.
Tel 086 8118072 www.deirdreheney.ie @deirdreheney