The local Councillor was speaking after he brought a motion asking the new Council to write to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development urging her to bring forward immediate proposals.
The move follows the Alliance Party’s on-going commitment to promoting animal welfare and opposing animal cruelty, which Councillor Muir has not only fought for on a local level, but East Belfast MP Naomi Long has also received awards as a recognition for her hard work on the issue.
Councillor Andrew Muir said: “The new North Down and Ards Council has a clear opportunity to make a statement about how we value animals and see preventing cruelty as a priority.
“With this in mind , it is very disappointing that some members from the DUP and UUP still choose to abstain on the issue.
“A ban on hunting with dogs would bring us into line with England and Wales, where the hunting of foxes with other mammals has already been outlawed. I can’t understand why all Councillors would not want the barbaric nature of this so-called sport banned.
“But we must go further and outlaw the use of snares as a wildlife control technique. It is frustrating that this unnecessarily cruel technique was not already dealt with by the Minister during previous consultation.
“The Alliance Party is committed to eliminating animal cruelty and will continue to work hard through a number of measures to achieve this goal. I hope all Councillors will be able to support this motion when the committee decision goes before full Council next month and the Minister is able to respond at the earliest opportunity.”