Animal charity raise concerns at Stormont

Dogs Trust has visited the Northern Ireland Assembly to discuss their Dog Manifesto and priority animal welfare issues for the Assembly with 36 MLAs.
Dogs Trust officials discussed canine legislation with MLAs including  Paul Frew MLA at a recent Northern Ireland Assembly event at Stormont. (Submitted Pic).Dogs Trust officials discussed canine legislation with MLAs including  Paul Frew MLA at a recent Northern Ireland Assembly event at Stormont. (Submitted Pic).
Dogs Trust officials discussed canine legislation with MLAs including Paul Frew MLA at a recent Northern Ireland Assembly event at Stormont. (Submitted Pic).

The animal welfare charity, which has a rehoming centre in Ballymena, cares for nearly 17,000 dogs each year and never puts a healthy dog down.

One of the key issues Dogs Trust was keen to draw attention to at its reception was the lack of legislation surrounding the sale and use of electronic training devices.

Dogs Trust Head of Public Affairs, Claire Calder explains: “We are calling on MLAs to back our calls for a ban on the sale and use of electric shock, spray and sonic collars. We are disappointed that the Northern Ireland Assembly has no current plans to consult on the use of electronic training devices but we hope by raising awareness of this issue the Government will take action to protect man’s best friend.”

One of the MLAs who met with Dogs Trust, Paul Frew MLA said: “I fully support their call for action on the issue of electronic shock collars and will be working with them to ensure Northern Ireland does not get left behind when it comes to protecting the welfare of all dogs.”

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