Petition highlighting need for better treatment of dogs
Abandoned pups Betty Lou, Cindy Lou, Dr. Seuss and Martha May are asking you to sign Dogs Trust’s petition this Christmas. The charity believes a new Junior Minister role to champion dog welfare is the greatest gift the new government can give our four-legged friends. Over 18,000 people have signed already but they need more signatures to get the message to the new office holders of Leinster House.
The pups, named after characters from heart-warming Christmas movie The Grinch, were found abandoned at the side of a road in a cardboard box and taken into Dogs Trust’s rehoming centre in Dublin. The charity believes a Junior Minister is needed to champion dog welfare in government and tackle issues like irresponsible breeding which can lead to abandonments like this.
Dogs Trust says that Ireland is in the midst of a canine crisis. This year alone they've taken over 3,000 calls from people needing to give their dog up for reasons as varied as behavioural issues to accommodation challenges. The charity is also taking in abandoned dogs and mums and their pups rescued from puppy farms, often in terrible conditions. All issues they say someone in government with full responsibility for dog welfare could help tackle.
Suzie Carley, Executive Director of Dogs Trust Ireland, said “Currently policy and legislation for the welfare, breeding, selling and supplying, control and traceability of dogs falls across multiple government departments. Without one person having sole responsibility for all areas of dog welfare, including enforcing and resourcing legislation, our canine companions can sadly fall through the cracks. We are urging the new government to create this role.
“To support our campaign, we’re asking dog lovers in Ireland to sign our petition for a Junior Minister - someone at the heart of government whose job it is to care for dogs as much as you do.”
According to Ireland’s Dog Census, 88% of respondents believe there should be a dedicated Junior Minister to provide a more co-ordinated response to dog welfare issues in Ireland.
PETITION DETAILS
Dogs Trust is asking dog lovers across the country to sign their petition via DogsTrust.ie/GreatestGift,