Animal lovers express anger at farmer

ANIMAL lovers kicked up a storm yesterday, claiming it was cruel to dye animals in the Kerry colours.

But the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), which has received a large number of complaints on the matter, said it was not cruel, stating the animals had not suffered any harm or stress.

Farmer Brendan O’Connor from Beaufort, Killarney has used marking fluid to turn out up to 50 animals, including a goat, cows, ducks and geese in the green and gold - his way of showing support for the Kerry team in Sunday’s All-Ireland football final against Tyrone.

However, campaign co-ordinator of the Animal Rights Action Network John Carmody said it was “absolutely appalling” to do such a thing to animals.

It was sending out the wrong message to children and others who might use real paint on animals.

“There’s no reason why animals should be treated like this,” he said.

“Animals are sentient creatures capable of experiencing fear and pain. The message being sent out is that we can use these creatures anyway we want, but animals should not be used for entertainment.

“We’re moving towards a more compassionate society and it’s irresponsible to use animals in this way,” he added.

Kerry ISPCA inspector Harry McDaid said he had received more than 40 calls about the issue. Radio Kerry also had a large number of calls.

“I can sympathise a lot with the way people are thinking, but there’s actually no harm in this. I can give an assurance that if anything was wrong, we would put it right straight away,” Mr McDaid said.

“What is being used is not a paint, but a dye. I’ve spoken to Mr O’Connor and we will continue monitoring the situation in case anything would happen. But the dye does no harm to animals.”

Mr McDaid said farmers loved their animals, had a one-to-one relationship with them and would not harm them.

He also said many of the people complaining were from urban areas, adding that a lot of people in such areas hardly ever saw the countryside.

Meanwhile, Brendan O’Connor said the row was “a bit over the top.” He had received very good reaction to the photographs of his animals, which had appeared in the media, and people were delighted.

“What I’m using is only marking fluid that’s used all the time on cattle and sheep. The fluid doesn’t stay on for long. Water washes it off very easily,” he said.

“People are talking an awful lot of rubbish about this. It’s way worse to dye your hair - the dye would burn the hair off you.”