A stronger, cross-departmental response is required in order to stamp out illegal dog breeding and to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs that are later cruelly disposed, according to Fianna Fail Seanad Group Leader, Senator Catherine Ardagh.

Leading animal welfare charity, Dogs’ Trust Ireland have temporarily paused their adoption services in an attempt to prevent people impulsively purchasing a dog this Christmas period. Their decision comes as it was revealed that the charity experienced a 30% rise in people looking to give up their dog in January 2018, in comparison to the year previous.

Senator Ardagh said, “Owning and raising a dog is no walk in the park and the decision to buy one should be strongly considered. Once the initial novelty wears thin, the toilet training and constant furniture chewing sets in puppies can become incontinent and hamper any lifestyle.

“The details of some disturbing cases of neglect and cruelty towards dogs as of late should be enough of a reminder to those considering getting a pup this Christmas, to avoid taking one on unless you have the right conditions and are in the best circumstances to accommodate it for many years to come.

“There are already 176 dogs being cared for in one charity’s North Dublin rehoming facility. This is just one kennel – there are countless more being operated by hardworking volunteers and Local Authorities across the country. These are likely to care for hundreds of unwanted dogs while sadly very many more must be euthanised each year.

“The ISPCA and other animal welfare organisations work tremendously hard all year round to ensure higher breeding standards in order to outlaw cruel practices but they need all our support to spread the word.

“The Dog Breeding Establishments Act which centred on regulating puppy farms was passed in 2010 but without tough enforcement, unscrupulous puppy farmers profit heavily at this time of the year.

“Puppy smuggling continues to be big business in our country, we’re regarded as the worst in Europe for illegal breeding and we do need to seriously examine banning the third party sale of dogs. The issues extend beyond the remit or responsibility of the Department of Agriculture and in fact should also be better regulated in terms of revenue and the Department of Justice.

Senator Ardagh concluded,”In order to stamp out such appalling practices to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs that are later disposed of we need to see a cross-departmental response.”

It has been confirmed today that An Bord Pleanala have upheld Dublin City Council’s decision to formally declare the former John Player Wills site on South Circular Road in Dublin 8 as a vacant site.

Speaking in the Seanad this afternoon Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader and Crumlin based Senator, Catherine Ardagh said, “This site, which is currently under the control of NAMA and recently valued in the region of €100million is of massive strategy importance to our area.

“The South Inner City remains affected by the ongoing housing crisis. DCC have sought to take Weaver Square and it’s allotments to use for development but as I have previously acknowledged, the needs of residents locally shouldn’t necessarily be sacrificed.

“The vacant lands around the former John Player factory could be a better alternative to seizing much used and much loved green space when it’s already in short supply. Focus should instead be on maximising the value of the vacant site to alleviate the crisis in housing by developing sustainable, affordable housing on it.

“Hopefully the 7% Vacant Land Levy that’s payable in the forthcoming year will prove to be enough of an incentive to avoid hoarding the land for any extended period. It would only be right that this levy is reinvested in the immediate locality to fund local regeneration.

She concluded, “The economic and social needs of the communities throughout the South Inner City need to be fulfilled and properly utilising this site would be a perfect opportunity to see that happen.”