Protect Service Animals NI

I wrote to Mr. Andrews, DAERA in March 2021 with regards to sentencing for animal cruelty on all animals but was concerned the service animals would not get the justice they deserve due to the penalties in the Animal Welfare Act (NI) 2011.

Please have a read at the letter. It is important sentencing is increased, as I know most folk believe the sentencing in Northern Ireland is too low compared to other countries around the world especially for service animals. There should be a separate section in the AWA (NI) 2011 that sentencing should be higher for these extraordinary K9's so therefore if folk could please stress the need for longer sentencing for our service animals, these are highly skilled and trained officers, with the amount of training, equipment, vet fees etc spent each year and any injury keeps them from working and dealth results in a valuable K9 lost to a handler, higher penalties and fines are needed.

Thank you.

#ServiceAnimalsNI
#ProtectTheProtectors

Letter
Dear Mr Andrews,

As you know I am quite concerned with Court sentencing for animal cruelty and the abysmal penalties handed down which is no deterrent to stop this, also when the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill is enacted these sentences will reflect here also. With having the animals not looked upon as property and the 'fear of defence' removed etc to have protection for these K9's though once injured or killed to have an abysmal sentence defeats the protection of these K9's.

I have been studying Animal Welfare Acts from around the world based on USA most states and Australia (where the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act was based on) their minimum imprisonment is 1 year neglect, up to 7 years for maiming/death for any animal cruelty for domestic pets.

In states in the USA, it is a federal offence to injure or kill a service animal, anyone convicted of purposely assaulting, maiming, or killing federal law enforcement animals such as police dogs and horses could be fined at least $10,000 - $20,000, minimum 5 years (injury/maiming) up to 10 years in prison for death. In South Australia they have a similar law. Both have them separate from domestic animal penalties.

Our AWA 2011 is different from the AWA 2006 England & Wales which Chris Loder MP is trying to change through a Private Members Bill going through Westminster, so I believe we can change our penalties as Scotland and IOM AWA's are all different.

I would like to see stricter penalties here for cruelty to animals and a separate penalty for police, prison, fire and search & rescue dogs and to come in line with the rest of the world who have far stricter penalties.

To try and stop animal cruelty sentencing has to change to deter these people who inflict horrible injuries, neglect and death. At present there seems to be a rising trend in bestiality, people who do this then tend to precede to children, there are many studies to confirm this.

Someone who is cruel to animals either by torture or death will go on to carry out those attacks on humans, most times they end up criminals.

There is 5 years in AWA 2011 but that is never used in Court most are 6 months to 1 year out in half. The cruelty to Sparky, a post-mortem examination confirmed the dog sustained fractures as well as severe brain trauma. It also revealed multiple skull fractures, bruising to the brain and shoulder and blood in the lungs caused by hammer blows to the back of the head, the side of the head and shoulder. This was a defenceless animal the guy was sentenced to 30 months, half of which will be spent in prison on release he will serve the rest of the sentence on licence. So, 1 year 3 months in prison then freedom, he should have got 5 years and served full sentence. He was banned for keeping animals for 30 years, should have been banned for life.

These sorts of penalties handed down is not a deterrent to stop this horrendous cruelty and as Judges follow the AWA and previous cases these abysmal sentences will continue.

I would like to see animal cruelty penalties changed minimum 2 years for neglect, 4-5 years for torture and maiming and 7 years for death with no release, heavy fines and to establish an Animal Abuse Register, penalties along these lines to give clear direction to Judges.

For attacks of service animals, I would like to see penalties in line with the USA separate and referring to the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) (NI) Act.

I am waiting on FOI but I would like to speak with you in the next few months to discuss and your thoughts on this to see if changes can be made without me having to start another campaign.

Kind Regards,