Animal welfare reports in Northern Ireland soar by 175%

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

The USPCA received 327 animal welfare reports in six months to September 2026, up from 119 in the same period in 2025.

Animal welfare concern reports have soared by almost 175% in a year, according to the USPCA charity. The organisation received 327 reports between April and September 2026, compared with 119 in the same period in 2025. Of these, 200 were animal welfare reports, up from 75 in the earlier period, with 127 additional reports generated from investigative activity.

Neglect was the most frequently reported issue, accounting for 92 of the 200 welfare reports. A further 32 reports involved suspected malnourishment and 24 alleged mistreatment. Dogs featured in 42% of reports, whilst horses, ponies and donkeys accounted for 58 reports, almost 30% of the total. Most reports (198 of 200) covered Northern Ireland's 11 council areas, with Newry, Mourne and Down, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, and Belfast City together accounting for 51%.

Heather Weir, chief executive of the USPCA, expressed concern at the substantial rise. 'Every animal deserves care and protection,' she said. 'These latest figures show a substantial rise in the concerns reported and recorded by the charity.' The USPCA revealed the figures ahead of a major research workshop with charities, statutory agencies and researchers at Queen's University on Wednesday.

How it is being reported

• Animal welfare concern reports soar by 175% in a year'Every animal deserves care and protection'Belfast Live · 28 Oct, 00:01
• Animal welfare concern reports soar by 175% in a yearBelfast Telegraph · 28 Oct, 00:01

In this story: USPCA · Northern Ireland · Queen's University · Heather Weir · Newry, Mourne and Down · Belfast City

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