Animal welfare centre probe urged

There have been calls for an independent investigation into Cork’s leading animal welfare organisation.

Seven councillors have signed a motion urging Cork City Council to app-oint an independent animal welfare body to examine the operations of the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals (CSPCA).

It comes just a week after the CSPCA said it had nothing to hide as it tried to combat a sustained internet campaign that had raised concerns about the welfare of animals housed at its Mahon complex.

The society claimed it was the victim of a “vendetta” and said it had been given a clean bill of health by government veterinary inspectors, and by City Hall, which supports it with up to €70,000 a year.

Several councillors who visited the complex two weeks ago said they were reassured by what they saw.

However, councillors received correspondence in recent days, which, they said, raised further concerns.

The issue was raised at Monday’s council meeting, where those behind the motion said they wanted the council’s corporate policy group to deal with the matter given the “seriousness of the allegations”.

Cllrs Ted Tynan, Patricia Gosch, Kenneth O’Flynn, Chris O’Leary, Kieran McCarthy, Lorraine Kingston, and Mary Shields signed the motion. They want an independent body to conduct a full investigation into the standards, governance, management and animal welfare practices of the CSPCA, and that a comparison be completed with management practices nationally.

City manager Tim Lucey said the council’s environment functional committee would be the most appropriate place for the matters to be dealt with.

Councillors agreed to allow the matter be dealt with at the functional committee meeting due to take place next Tuesday.

Mr Lucey said a full report will be presented to the committee. “There is a range of correspondence in City Hall and we have to assess that and consider the matters raised.

“It would be premature to take any decision relating to an investigation or otherwise until the issues are considered carefully.”

The CSPCA confirmed last week it has taken legal steps to prevent certain individuals from repeating online allegations about its operation.