Good lesson in animal welfare - Anti-cruelty campaign

CHILDREN in Dublin are to receive training against animal cruelty by a leading animal welfare group.

Throughout the new school year, the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is to provide visits to primary schools in the city’s Docklands and inner city area.

The society believes that raising awareness is the best insurance against animal cruelty and is aiming to teach compassion and responsible behaviour towards animals, humans and the environment.

It is not before time and is something that should be rolled out nationally as abusive behaviour against animals is widespread. As our sister newspaper, the Evening Echo revealed on Monday, there are few depths to which some animal abusers will not sink.

Gardaí are investigating incidents of deliberate cruelty to dogs which included one having its four paws cut off and another being skinned alive. It is hard to imagine how anyone could inflict such torture on any animal, let alone a domestic pet.

There is only so much that the gardaí, animal welfare groups and the criminal justice system can do. While punishment and retribution for such acts are essential, education is also vital. The DSPCA offers an innovate programme of reform and is showing the way. It is to be hoped that similar initiatives will appear nationwide.