Calls to animal welfare helpline more than doubled in five years

The red deer stag at Newbridge Demesne, Donabate which was found beheaded this week. Picture: Fingal County Council/PA

The number of calls to an animal welfare helpline operated by the Department of Agriculture has more than doubled in the past five years.

Figures provided by the agriculture minister Martin Heydon showed that the number of calls to the helpline has jumped from 846 in 2020 to 2,040 up to the end of October. 

The number of calls received by the helpline last year was 2,210.

The figures come as an investigation is underway into the discovery of a headless body of a stag in Dublin on Thursday.

On Friday, Fingal County Council issued an appeal in relation to the incident. The eight-year-old stag was part of an Irish red deer herd at Newbridge Demesne, Donabate and was killed overnight on Wednesday night or Thursday morning by intruders who had broken into the park.

The mayor of Fingal, Tom O’Leary, said: “It’s truly shocking that someone would carry out this act. I am appealing to anybody with information to contact the gardaí or the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 

It is illegal to kill deer without a licence and I hope that the perpetrators can be brought to justice. 

Ivan Smith, foreman of Works at Newbridge House and Traditional Farm, said: “We are absolutely shocked by this incident. He was a lovely stag with a beautiful pair of antlers and was a big favourite with the public who walk through the park.” 

The animal welfare helpline figures were provided to Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central Padraig O’Sullivan. He said: “I am concerned because these figures show the number of complaints has trebled in the past five years. It is majorly concerning. 

"I have repeatedly called for an overhaul of animal welfare legislation and I have presented a bill already about equine welfare and I am in the middle of preparing a bill on dog breeding establishments.” 

Anybody with information is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or email [e-mail].