Puppy farming protest in Cavan today

Organisers of a planned protest outside a meeting of Council offices next week are calling on the local authority to “blaze a trail” and ban outright what they term as industrial puppy breeding in the county.

Sue Kilbracken of Killegar House, Carrigallen, expects hundreds, but hopes thousands may attend the peaceful protest at 2pm today (Monday), October 10, at Cavan Courthouse.
Taking place ahead of a planned meeting of local elected members, she says: “The Council needs to step up and take notice. We are not going away. If they don’t know it already I think they’ll see how serious we are about this by the numbers attending.”
Ms Kilbracken and others are furious at a decision by the Council make an 11th-hour request for further information in respect of a planning application concerning the retention of dog breeding facilities at Corfeehone, Poles, Co Cavan.
That application is currently 'on hold’ as the authority awaits 'further information’ on the matter.
The applicant Ray Cullivan has six months to comply otherwise the application is considered withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Ms Kilbracken says protestors have garnered the support of a number of Irish celebrities, 26 animal welfare charities and pressure groups across Ireland and the UK in their fight against the practice of puppy farming.
“We would like to see Cavan as a leader, trial blazing in placing a ban on puppy-farming. We already have support from a great many people, the likes of Clare Daly, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black but to name a few. They share our feelings on this. What we want is for the Council to take notice. These issues in the county cannot be ignored any more,” she said.