Protesters outside the Royal Courts of Justice  in Belfast yesterday

Party members have attended the demonstration organised by the ‘Northern Ireland Says No to Animal Cruelty‘ group demanding that sentencing guidelines be changed so that tougher penalties are imposed on those convicted of animal cruelty offences.

The Workers Party opposes the cruelty and suffering of animals bred in so called puppy and kitten farms and is calling for an end to this outrageous practice.

We also support tighter regulation and registration of breeding establishments, rigorous enforcement procedures and tougher sentences for those who abuse and neglect animals.

We also condemn the barbaric practices of “badger baiting” and hunting with dogs, the commercial mass production of animals in a manner which causes suffering and the abuse of animals by large commercial companies which put profits before animal welfare.

The Party supports the promotion of the “Five Freedoms” adopted by the World Organisation for Animal Health and national societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals.