Animal welfare officer appointment sought for County Mayo
THE appointment of an animal welfare officer for the county has been sought to address ongoing issues being experienced by local animal welfare groups.
In seeking the appointment, Councillor Mark Duffy said these local voluntary community groups are 'completely stretched', often going above their remit to take animals into care.
The ISPCA, he told the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, had discussed with the local authority ringfencing money for the position.
He also wondered where the money from dog licences was spent.
There was general agreement that the position was needed but, as Councillor Damien Ryan pointed out, it came down to economics. The council already provided finance to the local welfare groups.
Councillor Johnny O'Malley said there were problems in his area where cats are multiplying. There was also an issue in an area of dogs barking all day, and sometimes at night, creating an 'awful nuisance'.
And he had a particular message for the time of year that's in it: “Coming up to Christmas, I would ask people buying gifts not to buy children dogs or cats.
“That is only spreading the problem.”
Director of services John Condon explained that Mayo County Council is not a statutory body with responsibility for animal welfare, though they provide funding for welfare organisations. Money collected from dog licences funds the council's dog control service.
The ISPCA work with the Department of Agriculture – who have statutory responsbility for animal welfare – and have nine officers around the country. They had approached the council but did not attend a meeting. That invitation could be extended again.
Chief executive Peter Hynes said the concern is shared but it wasn't a simple issue.
He thought a point of contact with clear lines of responsibility in each municipal district was a way to go. The matter would be reviewed, looking at resources and talking with the SPCA.
Councillor Duffy reiterated there needs to be responsibility so it's not all left to volunteers approaching owners of dogs, etcetera.