The Ulster Unionist Party has published the sixth in a series of policy papers. The latest document focuses on the issue of animal welfare.

The key proposals in the document are:

• The creation of a central register of people convicted of animal cruelty;

• Tightening the online advertising and sale of pets;

• Making an attack on a guide dog or assistance dog an aggravated offence;

• The introduction of a new regulatory framework for greyhound racing in Northern Ireland;

• Improving the welfare of animals slaughtered for meat, including pre-stunning and the installation of CCTV in slaughterhouses;

• A review of the effectiveness of dog breed specific legislation.

  Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt said:

  “Northern Ireland is a Province of animal lovers with almost half of all local households sharing their homes with at least one pet. It has been said that the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. As a society Northern Ireland does well, but it could still do better.

  “Whilst we already have have animal welfare protections enshrined in law, unfortunately the implementation of these have been feeble. Over recent years too many people have been responsible for unthinkable acts of cruelty to animals and have got away with it. That needs to change. We want to see more people successfully prosecuted, with stronger punishments to include custodial sentences.

  “The wide-ranging proposals contained in our latest policy paper would significantly improve the welfare of animals across Northern Ireland.”

  A PDF copy of the paper can be accessed through this link - http://uup.org/assets/images/animal%20welfare%20paper.pdf