Lisa admits job can sometimes be ‘emotionally draining’
FOR more than a decade Lisa O’Donovan, the senior ISPCA inspector for Cork City and county, has been at the heart of the charity’s work in both addressing animal neglect and cruelty and educating the public about the issue.
Speaking to The Corkman at last Friday’s launch of the ISPCA’s 2018 inspectorate report, Lisa admitted that the job can sometimes be “emotionally draining”.
“On saying that, none of us go to a call feeling upset. We go in with the focus of wanting to get these animals out of the situation they are in, give them the help they need and enforce the existing legislation in as much as is possible,” said Lisa.
“Quite often the most frustrating part of our job is when you see something that is uncomfortable to look at but there is nothing in the legislation that you can use as a tool to help you do the job and you are just hoping that people will cooperate and work with you,” she added.
Lisa said the 2013 introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) had been of considerable assistance to the ISPCA in this.
“The huge difference that act has made to us is that the Inspectorate is authorised, which means that inspectors have the authorisation to use statutory powers to deal with animal neglect, cruelty and abuse,” she said.
Lisa said that prior to the act coming into force an inspector would have to wait for a member of the Gardaí or a vet to arrive and authorise the removal of a stricken animal.
“I was often in a field where a horse was dying and might have to wait hours for a Garda or vet to arrive. Under the act I can make the decision to remove an animal immediately. The power to seize an animal there and then if an offence has been committed is vitally important for us,” she said.
Over the five years since the act came into force the ISPCA helpline (1890 515 515) has received some 86,549 calls, undertaken 17,832 investigations, 5,147 animals have been seized or surrendered and 133 prosecutions initialised, 64 of which have been processed through the courts.
Last year Lisa played an instrumental role in three successful prosecutions in the north Cork area, full details of which are contained within the 2018 inspectorate report.
“The message from these to the public is that owners have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate care for their animals. Failure to do so will have repercussions and will lead to a day in court. So if you can’s look after them, don’t get them. Its as simple as that,” she said.
Lisa said derives enormous satisfaction for her job, when she can rescue and animal that might otherwise be left suffering or even die.
“Of course it can be emotionally draining and at time very difficult. But to see an animal go from a life of misery to being loved and cared for is enormously rewarding experience,” she said.
“I would not say I love it, because you are looking at so much hardship, both from the animal side and the fact that you do come across individuals who are really struggling. We also have a responsibility to these people, which is why our role of helping them and educating them about how to care for their animals properly is also such an important part of our job as inspectors,” she added.