Thanks to the DUP and Sinn Fein the private member’s bill to ban hunting with dogs was defeated by 45 votes to 38 in the Assembly on Monday.
Animal welfare charity, the USPCA, had backed the bill.
It said it was “very disappointed” with the outcome.
“This result is contrary to the views of the public, as outlined in the consultation response and in previous public opinion polls,” said USPCA chief executive Brendan Mullan.
“Hunting wild mammals with dogs is sadistic and cruel and has no place in an advanced and compassionate society.
“We are staggered that half of our political representatives do not hold this view and encourage members of the public to reflect on whether their views have been appropriately represented on this issue.”
A public consultation saw more than 18,000 respondents, with 80% in favour of a ban.
You expect these things from the DUP, but it is a bit more curious what’s in it for Sinn Fein? It is strange to find the party of the people defending the murderous hobbies of toffs. There are not many hunts in Ballymurphy or the Bogside.
With blatant hypocrisy, Sinn Fein is trying to ride two horses by supporting a ban in the Republic but blocking a ban in Northern Ireland.
Is anyone surprised at the DUP & SF teaming up together or talking out of both sides of their mouth?
Dishonest politics, that we are all sick & tired of. pic.twitter.com/xcpWmiSZ0F— Colum Eastwood 🇺🇦 (@columeastwood) December 6, 2021
The hypocrisy has not gone unnoticed.
Does @sinnfeinireland think northern foxes are more orange? Sinn Fein is opposed to fox hunting in the Republic but today voted against a ban in the north. What’s the thinking? #stormont pic.twitter.com/XGSEH4y9qP
— Andrea Catherwood (@acatherwoodnews) December 6, 2021
Could we not have had a compromise and agreed to just kneecap the foxes?
I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism, I am not a member of any political party. Oddly for a member of the Slugger team, I am not that interested in daily politics, preferring to write about big ideas in society. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.
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