NSPCA Launches Five-Year Strategy With Call For Stronger Animal Welfare Laws
The NSPCA has called for legislative reforms on dog breeding, fox hunting, sulky horses and greyhound racing as part of its new five-year strategy.
The newly formed National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has called on the government to urgently strengthen Ireland's animal welfare legislation, warning that gaps in current protections are falling short.
The charity, established last year through the merger of the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISCPA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), launched its first five-year strategy at an event in Buswells Hotel on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.
The NSPCA has set out four key legislative priorities. These are the reform of dog breeding legislation to address large-scale commercial breeding, strengthen welfare standards and improve inspection and enforcement mechanisms; a legal ban on sulky horses on all public roads and horse-drawn carriages in cities; a legal ban on the hunting and killing of foxes with dogs for sport; and a legal ban on greyhound racing.
To mark the launch, the NSPCA released new survey findings by Bounce Insights showing widespread public support for animal welfare reform.
Just under 90% of those polled support stricter dog breeding regulations, 67% support phasing out horse-drawn carriages in Irish towns and cities over time, and 86% feel horse-drawn vehicles should be more strictly regulated.
On hunting, 82% support a ban on fox hunting for sport, while 68% felt the Dáil's December 2025 decision not to support a Bill to ban fox hunting was wrong. 67% believe greyhound racing should be phased out, and 70% are concerned about the welfare of greyhounds in the racing industry.
The poll also found that 79% would like to see more government resources invested in animal welfare enforcement, and 68% believe animal cruelty is a serious problem in Ireland. 94% think those found guilty of animal cruelty should face stricter consequences, with 96% saying they should be banned from owning animals.
Pat Watt, CEO of the NSPCA:
"The launch of our inaugural five-year strategy marks a step up in our ambition to protect the welfare of animals in Cork and across Ireland. Our inspectors continue to deal with deeply distressing cases of cruelty and neglect every day, reflecting a reality that demands urgent action. Public concern is growing, particularly in light of recent reports of disturbing cases involving horse-drawn vehicles, large-scale commercial dog breeding, greyhounds and other animals, and this is reflected in our survey findings. We are calling today for reforms to legislation to ensure that animals are properly protected in Cork, and that the resources are available to improve enforcement.
Every day, the NSPCA responds to cases of cruelty, rescues animals in need, and works with communities to prevent harm before it happens. But the scale and complexity of the challenge means that this work must go further. Lasting progress requires a coordinated and focused national approach. Our ambition is to see a Cork where animals are protected from cruelty, where strong laws and enforcement safeguard their welfare, and where people understand and value the responsibility of caring for animals – and this is what we have set out to achieve with our strategy."
The NSPCA's 2026-2030 Strategy can be read in full at www.nspca.ie.