To: The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Rásaíocht Con Éireann (GRI), and Cork East Representatives The Situation in Youghal, Co. Cork. For decades, greyhound racing in Ireland has received tens of millions of euros in public subsidies through the statutory Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund—amounting to over €19 million nationally every year. Yet, here in East Cork, our local facility—Youghal Greyhound Stadium—runs on life support. State-commissioned economic reviews by Indecon previously highlighted that the Youghal track operates at a financial loss with some of the lowest live spectator turnouts in the region. Official figures and reporting show that meetings frequently take place before nearly empty stands, running primarily to stream off-track betting coverage. Despite this, over €763,000 in public funding has gone toward keeping this single venue operational in recent years. Official figures and media reporting show that Youghal regularly sees as few as 3 paying members of the public at its twice-weekly race meetings. The stands are virtually empty, with races taking place primarily to be filmed for offshore TV betting contracts (SIS). The Welfare Reality Behind the empty stands is a grave animal welfare issue. Official figures released through Parliamentary Questions (PQs) show that of the greyhounds registered under the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCETS): • 57% of non-exported greyhounds from the 2021 birth cohort that retired in Ireland were recorded as deceased. • 74% from the 2022 birth cohort were recorded as deceased. • Over 5,300 dogs were exported overseas from the 2021 cohort alone, while Irish rehoming charities struggle under massive waiting lists. Taxpayer money should not be used to prop up a industry with unresolvable welfare issues and declining local interest. What East Cork Needs Instead East Cork faces real challenges—from underfunded community spaces and sports facilities for local youth, to overwhelmed local animal shelters trying to rescue and rehome greyhounds and other pets. Public money should serve the public good. Call-To-Action (The Specific Demands) By signing this petition, we call on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Cork East Public Representatives to: 1. Cease State Subsidies for Youghal Greyhound Stadium: Implement the findings of independent economic reviews and phase out public grant funding for underperforming regional tracks. 2. Decouple the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund: Amend Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to remove the automatic 20% funding guarantee for greyhound racing, subjecting all future allocations to independent Oireachtas scrutiny. 3. Ring-Fence Funds Locally for East Cork: Redirect the state funding currently used to subsidise Youghal Track directly into East Cork community infrastructure, youth facilities, and local animal welfare organisations.

I care deeply about protecting the Irish Wolfhound because this magnificent breed is far more than a dog — it is a living part of Ireland’s history, culture and identity. The Irish Wolfhound is Ireland’s largest and most iconic native breed and has long been an ambassador for Ireland around the world. These gentle giants are known for their loyalty, dignity and unique temperament, but they also have specialised needs that require responsible ownership, careful breeding and respect for their nature as companion animals. As the popularity of the Irish Wolfhound grows, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that this treasured breed is not valued for commercial gain at the expense of its wellbeing, character and future. Responsible preservation must always come before profit. The Irish Wolfhound has been recognised as a National Heritage Breed. Now we must ensure that recognition is supported by meaningful protection. I am asking people to join this campaign because protecting the Irish Wolfhound is not only about protecting a breed of dog — it is about safeguarding a unique part of Ireland’s heritage for future generations. This campaign gives everyone who values our history, our native breeds and animal welfare the opportunity to help protect a national treasure. By joining us, you can help ensure that the Irish Wolfhound’s future is shaped by responsible preservation, compassion and respect — not by commercial gain. My own Irish Wolfhound, Arthur Guinness, is the inspiration behind this campaign. Living with Arthur has shown me the extraordinary nature of this breed — their gentle temperament, loyalty and the deep bond they form with their families. Irish Wolfhounds are giant companion dogs who thrive on close human connection. They are not simply animals to be housed away from family life; they need companionship, care and the security of being part of the home. Arthur represents why this magnificent Irish breed deserves to be protected and preserved for future generations.

Other people should join me in this campaigne because there has been many issues lately with the tullamore skate scene as the park is an unsafe place and the skatepark no longer feels like a fun place to learn to skate there is many skaters in tullamore and only one skatepark is no longer enough

German Shepherd dogs are known for their fantastic abilities as service dogs. They combine intelligence, trainability, physical capability and very strong bonds with their handlers. They are the most loyal dog breed. They have physical strenght to provide balance support, pulling wheelchairs, opening doors, retrieving dropped objects. German Shepherds has proved themselves as guide dogs for people with visual impairments, as medical alert and psychiatric service dogs.They are confident under pressure. Yes, they require proper training but so as any other service dog. On a personal note....Kurtin,beautiful, loyal and absolutely outstanding non official  (unfortunately and very unfairly) therapy dog has been by my special needs son's side for nearly 12 years. 

This is important because public parks are some of the last remaining shared natural habitats in our cities and towns, and they play a vital role in protecting wildlife. Parks like Phoenix Park are not empty spaces. They are living ecosystems with deer, foxes, birds, and many other species that depend on them to survive. When large festivals and commercial events are held there, the noise, crowds, traffic, fencing, and construction can seriously disturb these animals in their own habitat. Wildlife cannot move elsewhere when their home is taken over. They experience stress, disruption, and increased risk, especially in areas where roads and human activity already create danger, such as traffic accidents involving deer. This issue is important because it is about responsibility and balance. We should be able to celebrate culture and host events without causing unnecessary harm to animals and natural spaces. There are alternative venues that do not require disrupting wildlife habitats. Protecting these parks now ensures that future generations can continue to experience nature in an urban environment, rather than losing it bit by bit to commercial use.

Public roads are simply not safe environments for horses pulling sulkies at high speeds.  Recent incidents across Ireland have highlighted the serious dangers associated with horses and sulkies on public roads, including collisions causing severe injuries and fatalities. Horses can become easily distressed by traffic, noise, and crowds, creating significant risks for the animals involved, road users, and local communities. Horses are sensitive animals, and forcing them to race or train on hard roads surrounded by traffic puts enormous strain on their bodies and creates risks that can end in tragedy within seconds. The NSPCA believes urgent action is needed to prevent further avoidable tragedies and ensure stronger protections for horses and the public. 

Thor is an 8-year-old German Shepherd who has been part of our family since he was a puppy. For eight years, he has lived with us, been trained, socialised, and cared for without ever showing aggression or biting anyone. Recently, an incident occurred while Thor was being handled by a dog walker and interacting with his own family member. child. During the interaction, the child fell to the ground and the situation escalated. The child was taken to hospital as a precaution and discharged the same day.  Despite this, Thor was seized and a District Court has ordered that he be put down under the Control of Dogs Act. We fully respect the seriousness of any incident involving a dog. Public safety matters. But we also believe outcomes must be proportionate and based on full evidence. Thor has no bite history, no prior aggression findings, and veterinary records confirm he has never shown dangerous behaviour, even in stressful clinical environments. We are now appealing this decision to the Circuit Court so that Thor’s full history, temperament, and the medical findings can be properly considered. This petition is not about dismissing what happened. It is about asking for fairness, proportionality, and for every alternative measure to be explored before an irreversible decision is made. If you believe an 8-year-old family dog with no recorded bite injuries deserves reassessment rather than destruction, please sign and support Thor’s appeal.

We, the undersigned, call on the Irish Government, Transport for Ireland (TFI), and public transport operators — including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Luas, and Irish Rail — to update and standardise current rules to allow dogs on public transportation in a safe and regulated way. At the moment, the rules are inconsistent and often restrictive. They differ from one operator to another and do not meet the needs of thousands of citizens, families, workers, and responsible dog owners. This creates daily challenges and prevents many people from using public transport. Many European countries already allow dogs on buses, trams, and trains under simple and effective regulations such as: • mandatory lead • muzzle if required • reduced‑fare or free pet tickets • peak‑hour limitations only when necessary Introducing clear and modern rules would bring significant benefits, including: • reduced car usage • improved access to public transport • better inclusion for families and individuals living with pets • alignment with European standards • promotion of a more pet‑friendly society We therefore request the introduction of a uniform national policy allowing dogs to travel on public transport across Ireland, in a way that ensures the safety and comfort of all passengers. By signing this petition, you support a more modern, accessible, and pet‑friendly Ireland.

Anne’s death occurred as a single event which did not happen in isolation. The situation revealed that Irish roads continue to pose a dangerous threat to horses which results in their injuries. Horses possess both strong physical abilities and delicate emotional nature. The design of these shoes does not provide suitable protection for walking on hard roads while handling urban conditions that include heavy traffic and loud noises and extended physical activity. Horses who fall onto crowded streets experience intense fear while suffering from severe injuries and complete physical exhaustion which endangers the safety of all road users including drivers and bike riders and walking people. The pregnant horse Anne experienced extreme physical exhaustion because she received harsh abuse which caused her to become injured while she stood alone in a busy public street. Despite the efforts of members of the public and animal welfare volunteers, she and her unborn foal died. The national media covered this tragic event which people in the public area observed. The lack of defined rules together with insufficient enforcement and insufficient authority response will keep horses in dangerous circumstances which result in their unavoidable death and suffering. The current situation establishes a dangerous pattern which shows that our community will tolerate animal welfare violations which take place in public spaces. The current initiative protects horses from abuse while it saves their lives and creates safer road conditions for all urban traffic users. Anne’s death must not be in vain. We need to defend all surviving horses from future mistreatment because she endured this horrific experience.

Calves are separated and transported too young and without proper feeding systems. Pregnant sows are confined to extreme metal-barred crates. Broiler chickens being grown at rates where they can't support their own weight, packed into overcrowded sheds.

Ireland’s dogs are being bred to suffer. They are overused, neglected, and abandoned — all for profit. Most people never see the conditions they’re born into, but I’ve seen enough to know we can’t stay silent. That’s why I started Voice4TheVoiceless, a grassroots movement fighting for real change in how dogs are treated in this country. But I can’t do this alone. I'm asking you — if you care about animals, if you believe in compassion, if you’ve ever loved a dog — please stand with me.

As dog ownership in Naas has increased, so too has the demand for safe, enclosed areas where dogs can exercise freely, without disrupting other park users. At present, the park does not have a designated space for off-lead dogs, which has led to safety concerns and limited opportunities for responsible dog socialisation. We believe that a designated dog park would bring meaningful benefits to the community, including: • ✅ Improved safety for children, walkers, and dog owners • ✅ Encouragement of responsible pet ownership • ✅ Enhanced social wellbeing for both humans and animals • ✅ More effective use of public green space