Big Bark News & Media calls on Irish public – Do not vote for Heather Humphreys in the upcoming presidential election
Big Bark News & Media calls on Irish public — Do not vote for Heather Humphreys in the upcoming presidential election
To the people of Ireland:
As dog-lovers, animal-welfare advocates and citizens who care deeply about the values of compassion, dignity and protection for all sentient beings, we at Big Bark News & Media issue a clear call: Do not vote for Heather Humphreys in the presidential election this coming Friday.
Our reasons are outlined below, all connected to her record in animal welfare — a record which we believe is profoundly at odds with the moral standing we expect from the highest office in our country, that of President of Ireland (“Uachtarán na hÉireann”).
- She has repeatedly opposed bans on hare-coursing, fox-hunting and badger-culling
During her time in government, Heather Humphreys has supported licences for hare-coursing, has defended it as a “rural pursuit” and has argued against banning it—even when the weight of public opinion and animal-welfare science favour a prohibition. For example, one article quotes activists that she approved of “barbaric blood-sports such as hare-coursing” - She has publicly declared support for “rural pursuits” including fox-hunting
In recent media appearances she has said that people should be allowed to enjoy rural activities, and that fox-hunting in particular is a legitimate rural pursuit. One social-media clip claims she stated she “would support all rural activities” when asked whether she supported fox-hunting.
Also, a synopsis of her campaign coverage noted that the Irish Council Against Blood Sports urged voters to reject her because she approved of “barbaric blood-sports such as hare-coursing”.
This shows an attitude toward fox-hunting/hare-coursing not of opposition, but of tacit or open endorsement—something entirely inconsistent with the presidency being a guardian of decency and universal welfare. - She is responsible for the introduction of the XL Bully legislation — which many animal charities say was rushed, ineffective and poorly consulted
As Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys signed the regulations to ban XL Bully-type dogs in Ireland, effective initially 1 October 2024 for import/breeding/rehoming and 1 February 2025 for ownership.
However, animal-welfare groups have criticised the legislation as very ineffective, introduced with minimal consultation of the animal-loving community, and creating confusion and panic among responsible dog-owners.
In other words: rather than a thoughtful, welfare-first reform, the legislation appears to have been hurried and more reactive than constructive — which raises questions about her approach to animal-welfare policy.
- Interference in an animal-cruelty case:
Perhaps most concerningly, Heather Humphreys has been implicated in what appears to be an interference in a serious animal-welfare prosecution.
In this case, a local Co. Monaghan farmer, Brian Wright, who had previously been convicted of animal-cruelty offences (in 2008 and 2017) and whose farm was documented as having severely injured cattle, was facing fresh prosecution in early 2020.
Shortly before the court date, a letter was forwarded by Humphreys’s office to the Secretary-General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which was delivered on behalf of a family associate of Wright. Soon after, the prosecution was abruptly withdrawn.
Although Humphreys denies she made representations and insists she “simply passed on a letter” from a constituent without expressing a view, a former departmental veterinary inspector, Kieran Devlin, has publicly stated he was “aghast” at the decision to drop the case given the strength of the evidence, and believes the intervention triggered the collapse of the prosecution.
Furthermore, internal departmental documents show the decision to drop the case was described in part as a “policy decision” rather than a purely legal or evidential one.
For an aspiring President to have been involved — directly or indirectly — in such a case, raises serious concerns about impartiality, accountability and the prioritisation of animal welfare.
Why the above matters for the Presidency:
The office of President of Ireland is more than a ceremonial role: the President can refer bills to the Supreme Court for a test of constitutionality, can act as moral guardian of national affairs and sets tone for what the country stands for.
We currently have the honour of a President — the incumbent Michael D. Higgins — who is widely recognised as a friend of animals, nature and the environment. To allow someone like Heather Humpreys with her record on animal welfare to enter Áras an Uachtaráin would, in our view, be a betrayal of animal-lovers everywhere, and could set back reforms in animal welfare for years.
What we are calling for:
We call on all animal-lovers, dog-owners, wildlife-protectors and concerned citizens who value compassion and a progressive animal-welfare agenda: please do not vote for Heather Humphreys this Friday. The future of how Ireland treats its animals, how it honours wildlife, how it balances “rural pursuits” with universal decency, depends on stewardship at the highest level.
We urge you to vote for a candidate whose record respects and protects — not one whose record defends the opposite.
Thank you for your time, your care and your voice.
Big Bark News & Media
Legal & Public Interest Disclaimer
This statement by Big Bark News & Media is made in good faith and in the public interest, drawing on publicly available media reports and government records. It constitutes fair comment on matters of significant public concern, including animal welfare and the suitability of a public official for Ireland’s highest office.
Publication is protected under Article 40.6.1(i) of the Irish Constitution (freedom of expression), Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Media Freedom Act (EU 2024/1083), and the public-interest and fair-comment defences in the Defamation Act 2009 and Defamation (Amendment) Act 2022.