THE Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill, and her counterpart from Justice, Minister David Ford, have warned those who are cruel to animals that they will face much tougher penalties under the law.

On Monday in Belfast, the Ministers launched the Report of the Review of the Implementation of Animal Welfare Legislation which makes 68 recommendations aimed at enhancing communication between the enforcement bodies, improving processes and highlighting the Animal Welfare Service to the public. It advocates tougher sentencing for the more serious offences and new powers for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to challenge sentences for undue leniency.