MLAs vote down bill aiming to align region with rest of UK on animal welfare laws

A proposal to ban hunting wild mammals with dogs in Northern Ireland has been defeated in the Stormont Assembly. This leaves the region as the only part of the United Kingdom where the practice remains legal.

On Monday, 45 MLAs voted against the Private Members’ Bill introduced by Alliance MLA John Blair, while 38 supported it. The Bill sought to prohibit hunting with dogs, exempting certain scenarios, such as preventing livestock damage or preserving biodiversity.

Blair described hunting with dogs as a “cruel and unnecessary practice causing immense suffering to animals.” He argued for legislative reform to match the bans in place across England, Scotland, and Wales for nearly two decades. Despite his efforts, the Bill will not advance to the committee stage.

The debate drew contrasting opinions. Green Party MLA Rachel Woods criticised the outcome, noting that public consultations showed overwhelming support for the ban. “This decision goes against the majority’s will and perpetuates unnecessary cruelty,” she said. Similarly, SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly lamented the missed opportunity to modernise animal welfare laws, accusing opponents of failing to collaborate on amendments.

Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer acknowledged his party’s opposition to a blanket ban, citing the need for more thorough examination and amendments to address practical concerns. DUP MLA William Irwin opposed the Bill outright, labelling it “bad legislation” and warning of enforcement difficulties and potential implications for dog owners.

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots echoed the criticisms, citing the Bill’s potential risks to biodiversity and its lack of precision. “The legislation is poorly constructed and could lead to unintended consequences,” he said, while clarifying his personal opposition to hunting.

Animal welfare groups expressed disappointment with the decision. The USPCA described hunting with dogs as “sadistic and outdated,” urging the public to hold MLAs accountable for the vote. However, Countryside Alliance Ireland welcomed the result, arguing the Bill threatened rural traditions and was poorly drafted.

Public consultation on the Bill saw a record-breaking 18,000 responses, with nearly 80% supporting the ban. Despite this, Northern Ireland’s lawmakers remain divided, ensuring the debate will likely resurface in future legislative sessions.