It is often said that a dog is man's best friend. In Ireland, we are no different. Who of us do not remember the old stories of Cú Chulainn, who was named after the hound, or Fionn mac Cumhaill and Bran? There are nine Irish breeds of dog, the most famous being the wolfhound. We have a proud and long history in our mythology and society of a wonderful relationship with dogs. Unfortunately, we also have a history of cruelty to animals in this country. Less than six months goes by in any year, and we hear of some conviction, investigation or a tragic case of animal cruelty being uncovered. These disproportionately involve dogs. Dog farms are not the only area of animal cruelty. We see it in fox hunting, the treatment of greyhounds by unscrupulous people, dog fighting and the inhumane treatment of farm animals. At the heart of this Bill is not a question about how dogs should be treated but, rather, how we, humans, must act with care not cruelty, with connection not exploitation, in harmony with animals rather than only seeking to profit off them. It should be known in this House that the psychology of those who harm animals and exploit them is often a precursor to more violent and exploitative actions against other humans. It has been very well documented across the psychiatric profession and in research that if one is cruel to small animals in particular, it is a leading indicator of cruelty, antisocial behaviour and disorders. In particular, cruelty towards dogs can often be a precursor to sociopathy. This Bill is crucial in addressing human behaviour, ensuring we are good stewards of the animal kingdom and especially for those we call our best friends. At its core is also the question of how a society should behave. How we treat animals is how we will eventually treat our planet, our fellow human beings and, indeed, ourselves. It is the great false narrative that somehow animals are precluded from the rules that govern societies. That is not the case. There is a natural cycle of things, yes, and of how animals are predators and prey, eat and are eaten, are part of our domestication and are undomesticated. That natural cycle can be twisted to the cruel and inhumane. That is a reflection of us, of our humanity and our role in a planet we share with the animal kingdom and, ultimately, of who we become. Let us be the best version of ourselves, the one that values and cares for dogs and other animals, one that prevents cruelty and does not tolerate it, one that corrects injustices and does not turn a blind eye, one that ensures that we live up the better angels of our nature, our humanity and the concert in which we live with all living beings. Let us make sure we make Ireland a great place for dogs.

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