Animal Cruelty, Neglect and Welfare

Relevant Legislation

• Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
• Greyhounds
  • Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011
  • Greyhound Racing Act 2019
• Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010
• Control of Horses Act 1996

Example of Offences

An example of some of the offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 include:

• to do, or fail to do, anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes unnecessary suffering to, or endanger the health or welfare of, an animal.
• or to neglect, or be reckless, regarding the health or welfare of an animal
• fail to safeguard animal welfare
• crop a dog’s ears
• dock the tail of a dog

Learn more about the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

What is Not Considered Cruelty (under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013)

According to Section 12 (11) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 – nothing in this section applies in relation to anything which occurs in the ordinary course of fishing, lawfully hunting an animal, unless the animal is released in an injured, mutilated or exhausted condition, or lawfully coursing a hare, unless the hare is hunted or coursed in a space from which it does not have a reasonable chance of escape.

Section 12 (11) – Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013

Learn More

• Understand more about Organised Animal Cruelty issues in Ireland and
• Who has power to enforce the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.