‘Many animal cruelty cases due to ignorance’

Many cases of animal cruelty, including domestic pets, were due to owners’ ignorance, it has been claimed.

More than 21,000 calls were made last year to the helpline of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

While many ISPCA supporters demand tougher penalties for offenders, the society’s chief operating officer, Dr Andrew Kelly, said many animal owners still do not know their legal responsibilities.