Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any engagement she has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, regarding the introduction of an aggravated offence for attacks on assistance dogs, within the forthcoming Sentencing Bill.
Minister of Justice: Legislation regarding the welfare of animals is the policy responsibility of Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the introduction of an offence of this nature would be the responsibility of that Department.
I have not had any engagement with the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, regarding the introduction of a new aggravated offence for attacks on assistance dogs.
Executive approval for the content of my Sentencing Bill was granted in December 2024 and the introduction of an aggravated offence for attacks on assistance dogs was not considered for inclusion.
However, my Department, in conjunction with DAERA, will be reviewing existing animal welfare offences and penalties as part of my Department’s Review of Sentencing Policy launched earlier this month.
ENDS
Your MLA 