The Belfast Telegraph report:
Just one person has been taken to court for animal welfare offences in a year – out of more than 4,000 incidents investigated by Northern Ireland‘s councils.
According to a report seen by theBelfast Telegraph, only two prosecutions were made between April 2, 2012 and April 2, 2013 after councils took over responsibility for enforcing laws aimed at protecting the welfare of pets and horses.
The revelation has prompted criticisms from animal welfare charities who levelled charges of apathy, a lack of knowledge and a lack of interest in making prosecutions.