Parents must take responsibility: councillor

The Lurgan man said a small group of young people in the Shankill and Wakehurst community are setting traps to catch cats which it is believed are then being used to blood hunting dogs.

He said: "I have received reports from a number of residents within the area who have expressed their disgust and anger at this barbaric practice.

"It would appear that three or four young people in their early teens are using well constructed homemade traps to catch live cats.

"Local people have told me that they believe these cats are then being thrown in amongst a pack of dogs from which they have no chance to escape.”

Cllr Magill, who lives in the area, called on the parents of these young people to take responsibility for the actions of their children and ensure that this brutal practice is brought to an end.

He added: "The PSNI and the RSPCA are aware of these incidents of senseless cruelty and some of these young people could well end up with a criminal record which will have a negative impact on their future lives.”

Police chief, Jason Murphy said this was an isolated incident and appealed to the community to report the matter to the neighbourhood policing team.

He said: "This is a punishable offence and those carrying out cruelty to animals can be liable to prosecution.