Jail terms and larger fines would stop puppy farmers

CONGRATULATIONS to Niamh Walsh and the Irish Mail on Sunday for yet another exclusive on the evils of puppy farming.

While people’s eyes have been drawn to the war against the Ukraine, here at home bad things also happen, and thanks to good journalists like Niamh and this paper, people are held to account for their actions.

There are many people in this country who derive sums of money on the backs of these poor animals.

This woman [the puppy farmer in Niamh’s article] is just one of many, and for her to claim ignorance of the law is laughable. Maybe she should have checked with her solicitor daughter.

The fine of €1,600 meted out to the puppy farmer was paltry. She would have made more than that on each puppy sold.

I believe her bank account should have been frozen and the proceeds of her criminal activity given to whichever poor, struggling dog charity had to deal with all her sick animals afterwards.

A jail sentence would not have gone amiss and would send a message to others that you cannot abuse animals. Ireland needs to change, and we all need to start making our opinions clear to the politicians and councillors.

Well done, Niamh!

Ursula Cullen,