State fails to tackle dog farm horror

WELL done to Evelyn Ring and the Irish Examiner editorial (July 29) for highlighting the horrific puppy farm situation that thrives in this country and the problems with the puppies that are bred in these conditions.

The ISPCA estimate there are more than 70 puppy farms in Ireland, a number of these are located in Cork county, particularly north and west.

Various Fianna Fáil governments and Ministers for the Environment promised to introduce legalisation to regulate these facilities, however talk is cheap and election promises even cheaper still.

Concerned animal welfare groups and individuals no longer expect any action from Fianna Fáil as the welfare of these animals would appear to be incidental to this party.

However, some hope was harboured when John Gormley was appointed Minister for Environment. He is a member of the Green Party, which was vociferous in their commitment to animal welfare and particularly to introducing strict regulations and legalisation on puppy farms.

Sadly for the animals this and other commitments given by the Greens prior to the election have not been honoured. The dogs used for breeding are incarcerated in cages, barrels or tied on to walls in darkened sheds.

They live in their own excrement, never seeing daylight or knowing what it is to run in the fresh air and feel the grass under their feet.

When they are no longer able to produce saleable pups they are killed or dumped and left to starve.

Due to ineffective and weak legalisation the ISPCA are restricted in closing down these hellholes.

Mr Gormley and his colleagues in the Green Party should be ashamed that they have done nothing to alleviate the misery and suffering of these animals and should reflect on the words of Charles Darwin: “There is no fundamental difference between man and the animals in their mental faculties… The animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.”

Donal Kelly

Gleann Ard

Upper Glanmire

Co Cork