As Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Inspectors in Cork county Council are professionally competent to assess and promote animal welfare. The relief of animal suffering is the primary responsibility of all Veterinary Surgeons under the Veterinary Surgeons Acts, 1931 to 1960
.
Active enforcement by the Veterinary Department of all animal welfare legislation promotes animal welfare in the following ways:
As part of the enforcement of milk legislation, on-farm welfare is promoted by regular inspections of milk production holdings that produce milk for human consumption.
At abattoirs, welfare is promoted by the enforcement of the Abattoirs Act, 1988
, specifically with regard to the licensing standards of abattoirs. There is inspection of animal welfare standards as part of veterinary inspections at ante-mortem, during slaughter and at post-mortem. The treatment of animals during transport and slaughter is strictly controlled. Enforcement of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1935
is exclusively a local authority function. All slaughterers are licensed as to their competency and their use of approved slaughter instruments, equipment and methods.
All reported cases of sheep scab are fully investigated by Veterinary Inspectors, and treatment of affected flocks is supervised. Prosecutions are taken for failure to report this disease and to treat affected animals.
Liquid milk production holdings are regularly inspected by Veterinary Inspectors. These inspections deal with animal welfare, animal housing conditions and milk quality standards.
Active enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act promotes responsible dog ownership and control. The issue of out of control and wandering packs of dogs is a serious one. The suffering caused to sheep in particular as a result of attacks by dogs is horrific. Without the work of the dog warden service, it would not be possible for many farmers to continue with sheep farming, due to attacks by dogs.
The input of the Veterinary Department in animal welfare concerns related to intensive animal production systems, such as intensive pig and poultry units, is achieved through enforcement of the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act, 1984
. Veterinary Inspectors expect technical advice to be given regarding animal welfare and environmental issues in dealing with planning applications for intensive animal production units. This advice is increasingly sought by the planning authorities.
The Veterinary Department promotes animal welfare by its active involvement in training courses, such as the FSAI Abattoir Worker training course.
Reported cases of cruelty to animals are investigated by the Veterinary Inspectors under the Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965
. There is collaboration with the Gardaí and the Department of Agriculture. A number of prosecutions have been taken.
