Animal welfare protest at Derry court

A protest against cruelty to animals took place outside Derry court as a man accused of abusing a dog attended.

Peter Toland attended the court charged with causing unnecessary suffering to animals and failing to ensure its welfare.

The group of protestors held signs featuring the picture of Luna, the dog that was allegedly abused.

Animal rights activist and SCARR volunteer Wendy Hughes said they held the protest to highlight an underexposed issue.

“We're here to raise awareness of animal cruelty,” she said. “There are quite a few cases and a lot of it goes uncovered because it's big news for one day and then it goes out of people's minds.”

She said the lack of government action to protect animals means voluntary groups have to do most of the work themselves.

“It's mostly the rescues that end up picking up the pieces of cruelty cases.

“Most of the rescues are voluntary. They have no government funding and are left to cover vet bills and everything else not just with animal cruelty but animals being surrendered in general. It's basically trying to empty the ocean with a spoon.”

Ms Hughes has been involved in animal rescue for a decade and says she hasn't seen any progress on animal welfare in that time.

“Animal welfare laws aren't worth what they're printed on. They are way outdated and they need to be brought up to standard for the issues faced today. I think around 1980 was the last time they were really looked into.

“By law animals are only classed as a possession not as a living being. And yeah you can batter a TV but it's not going to feel the pain. The animals do.

“Optimistically, we would like to see the law change. We're hoping it does. It's just basically with Stormont not actually being in operation at the minute nothing is going anywhere.”

While the activists aren't waiting around for politicians to fix the problem, activist Jessica June says she has had some positive meetings recently.

Jessica, who runs the Justice for Animals Facebook group, met with a number of local politicians to discuss animal welfare.

“I've had a few meetings with a few politicians from the DUP and Ryan McCready of the Ulster Unionist Party. Ryan McCready does seem to be very helpful and he helps us with a lot of stuff.”

Peter Toland will contest his case at Derry Magistrate's Court on September 7.