Organised Animal Fighting and Baiting
Section 15 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 prohibits animal fighting, baiting, or any other performance that involves animals. It is illegal to publicise or promote such events, provide information about them, or receive money for admission to them. The Act also prohibits the use of animals for fighting, training, or baiting purposes. Violation of this section can result in a fine or imprisonment.
- Dog-fighting
- Cock-fighting
- Animal-baiting e.g.
- “Badger baiting”
- “Blooding” of dogs/greyhounds with live animals
- throwing or casting with ropes or other appliances any unbroken horse or untrained bovine,
- riding or attempting to ride an animal which, by the use of any appliance or treatment, is or has been stimulated with the intention of making it buck, or
- any other activity that may cause unnecessary suffering to an animal and is prohibited by animal health and welfare regulations.
Animal Fight or Baiting In The News
- Suspected cock-fighting incidents – Monaghan/Armagh border and Dundalk
- “Gardaí launch animal cruelty investigation after recovery of mauled wild rabbit in cage“
- “Five men sentenced over brutal, ‘mean and nasty’ dog fight with pitbulls”
Illegal Hare Coursing
Protections to hares under Section 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (Prohibition on Animal Cruelty) applies if:
- Coursing a hare illegally (without the relevant legal licences) or
- While lawfully coursing a hare, the hare is hunted or coursed in a space from which it does not have a reasonable chance of escape.
Find out about legal hare coursing.
Sexual abuse of animals (causing unnecessary suffering)
Learn More
- Understand more about Animal Cruelty, Neglect and Welfare issues in Ireland and
- Who has power to enforce the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
