To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 24829/17-22, to detail (i) the procedure for reporting an alleged breach of animal welfare enforcement regulations by local councils outside the local council body itself; and (ii) the chain of accountability and transparency mechanisms built in to such regulations to ensure public reports of animal cruelty are being investigated and enforced appropriately.

Local councils are responsible for enforcing breaches of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) Act 2011 (“the Act”) relating to companion animals.

Any individual, group or organisation has the right to complain about the service or actions taken by a council, including a council’s obligations under the Act. Such concerns should be raised via a council’s complaints procedure, in the first instance.

Where a complainant remains dissatisfied with the council’s response,, they may contact the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO). A complainant may also bring concerns about a council’s actions (or inactions) directly to the attention of the NIPSO.