Northern Wildlife Criminals Face Jail

Wildlife crime in the North is to face a major crackdown with news today that offences such as badger baiting, poisoning birds of prey and collecting rare eggs will all be punishable with up to six months behind bars.

On the day that animal welfare was separately in focus - with news that a horse is fighting for its life after being stabbed by a group of youths - the NI Environment Minister Alex Attwood has introduced the new measures to help tackle all kinds of wildlife crime.

The most serious offenders can face a maximum of six months in prison. The Minister has almost doubled fines for people who transgress with a new maximum of £5,000 for offenders. He has also introduced protection for more plants, birds and animals.

The Minister is making the changes through the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011, which has just come into effect.

The SDLP's Alex Attwood said: 'There is a clear message today - those committing wildlife crimes will be pursued and prosecuted. DOE is about making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest in.

"This Act does that. For the first time custodial sentences will be an option for the most serious and persistent offenders. This should make people think and think hard about committing wildlife crime. The public has a part to play as well in reporting wildlife crime to the PSNI so that prompt action can be taken against alleged perpetrators," he said.

"The Act will also provide increased protection for a greater range of plants, animals and birds. I am giving enforcement authorities more powers to investigate alleged cases of wildlife crime, coupled with the introduction of new sanctions against those involved in such activity," the Minister continued.

Examples of crime that might attract these higher penalties include illegally collecting eggs of rare birds, poisoning birds of prey and badger baiting.

The Act extends protection to a wider range of wildlife including the basking shark, sea horse, puffin, red kite and cuckoo. The higher level of protection for these animals and birds means there should be no circumstances in which they can be killed or injured.

The Act also outlines the additional responsibility of all Departments to promote and embrace nature conservation when carrying out their daily tasks.

Alex Attwood added: "The Act highlights the important role that the public sector can take in furthering the conservation of biodiversity when undertaking their functions.

"This is a positive approach as Government as a whole is now committed through the biodiversity duty to protect our natural heritage. This action will deliver social and economic benefits, as well as environmental gains."

Mare Stabbed

In associated - shocking news - a five-year-old mare called Patch, sustained a deep cut to its left front leg In Steelstown, Co Londonderry on Friday evening.

BBC NI reported today that the owner confronted a crowd of 10 to 12 young people who were standing nearby and that the youth holding a knife also threatened him.

The wound is now very badly infected and cannot be stitched because of the location and has to be treated with antibiotics and get the wound cleaned out, but flies keep re-infecting the wound, with doubts over the animal's recovery as a result.

Although not classified as wildlife - and therefore not covered under the new legislation - it is believed there have been previous knife attacks on mares in particular right across rural parts of Northern Ireland for several years - but these have up to now been kept under wraps for fear of 'copycat' crimes.

(BMcC/GK)