Minister Coveney gives animal welfare hope
To say I was impressed is an understatement.
To my knowledge, no other Minister for Agriculture, in the history of this state, has ever shown any interest in the welfare of animals. He gave people who have learned to have no faith in politicians/administrations a glimmer of hope.
His newly introduced Animal Health and Welfare Legalisation, the first update in over a century, covers so many aspects of welfare, particularly for dogs and horses.
It gives new powers to his appointed officers to enforce the law, and the old way, of an offender receiving a rap on the knuckles, will soon be replaced with large fines and custodial sentences.
Compulsory micro-chipping (from January 2015) will help welfare organisations to track said offenders and have them dealt with through the courts.
His aspirations are admirable. However implementing them is a whole different matter.
I truly believe that he wants to ‘make things right’, and if he was free to do so he would fund everything.
But, as we all know too well, Government departments are not run by whatever minister is in charge on the day. They are run by those who have been there for years, behind the scenes.
At PAWS Animal Rescue, an Irish animal rescue that is caring for 108 dogs and 5 donkeys, with €148 in the bank account and a vets bill of €11,000 and a feed bill of €3,000, we see a very small light at the end of a long tunnel, if Minister Coveney enforces his new regulations before possibly being replaced by a general election.
I, for one, must congratulate Simon Coveney on his achievements, thus far, and for appreciating the ceaseless demand for the services of organisations such as ours.
So, from us here at PAWS Animal Rescue, thank you Minister.
Gina Hetherington
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