Animal Welfare Bill deserves some attention

With the focus on our economic woes and the fiscal treaty referendum, the Animal Health and Welfare Bill has been virtually overlooked by the media, understandably, and may for that reason fail to impinge on the public consciousness.

It has already been partially debated in the Seanad and will in the coming weeks continue to proceed through the Oireachtas. The bill, according to the Government, aims to update and overhaul animal welfare legislation, the first such major attempt at reform in this area since the 1911 Protection of Animals Act.

Nothing wrong with that, in principle. And indeed the draft bill contains many welcome provisions, such as stiffer penalties for acts of cruelty and a hotline for reporting offences.