Do's & Don'ts
Do/Don't - at incident site
DO
Record Location
Record Date And Time
Note Vehicle Details
Record the Scene
Cover Poisons
DON'T
Disturb the potential crime scene
Touch any suspicious substance
Interfere with any traps/snares/devices
Approach suspicious individuals
Do/Don't - this app
DO
Record Suspicious Incidents
Share this App
Feel Free to Donate to the App
DON'T
Report False Incidents
Make False Calls
Report anything other than suspicious WILDLIFE incidents
FAQS
What if I'm not sure this is a crime
Report anyway; this App is for you to report ‘suspected' incidents. It is for the NPWS/Gardaí to decide whether to investigate further, and ultimately only a judge can decide if it is a crime
Where is the data stored
The only data stored by the App is stored in the cloud
Who has access to my data
No one has access to your personal data other than the NPWS or Gardaí - whichever you submitted your report or phone call to. Authorised Member of PAW Ireland has access to the DATE, COUNTY, and INCIDENT TYPE in order to facilitate the info being displayed on https://www.wildlifecrime.ie
Where does the report go
NPWS or Gardaí - whichever you submitted your report to, or made your phone call to
Will I be informed if a prosecution is being pursued?
We can't say, it's up to the NPWS or Gardaí to contact you if they need more information from you
How do I follow up on my report
You can contact the agency you reported the incident to, either by the phone or email address you used before
Can I get in trouble for reporting
No, not if your concern is genuine then reporting a suspected wildlife crime incident is of great help to the authorities. However, knowingly making a false claim could constitute an offence under the Criminal Law Act.
Where can I get more info on wildlife crimes
https://www.wildlifecrime.ie and from making enquiries to the NPWS or Gardaí
Who is PAW Ireland?
PAW Ireland is a forum of statutory agencies, non-statutory agencies and interested parties with the common goal of combating wildlife crime through publicity, education and campaigning. Members are listed on https://www.wildlifecrime.ie/, and includes organisations from these sectors: Hunting, Conservation, Land Management, Welfare, and Enforcement
Can I report a suspected wildlife crime without using the App or contacting PAW Ireland?
Yes. You can report a suspected incident to the NPWS or Gardaí independent of the App as has always been the case. Please DON'T contact PAW Ireland to report a suspicious incident. The app merely facilitates the reporting by providing easy access to the contact numbers you need, and providing structure for submitting an email report by prompting you for information that will be helpful to the authorities for investigation purposes.
Are PAW Ireland against legal hunting or licensed hunters?
No. PAW Ireland are solely interested in highlighting CRIMINAL activities
What happens if someone makes a false report?
Anyone who knowingly makes a false report or statement to show that an offence has been committed and thereby causes the time of the Gardaí Síochána to be wastefully employed, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to fines or imprisonment under the Criminal Law Act
What is the exact wording of the relevant legislation?
Links to legislation protecting wildlife can be found here https://npws.ie under Legislation.
Is there anything else I can do to prevent this crime from happening again?
That depends on the incident, raising public awareness of the issue is a good way to tackle all types of wildlife crime.
I've a wildlife casualty that was involved in a wildlife crime and its still alive, what do I do
Call the nearest vet or rehabilitator on Irish Wildlife Matters https://www.irishwildlifematters.ie/, DO NOT TRY TO FREE THE ANIMAL if it is trapped. Also report the incident to the NPWS and/or Gardaí
If I find a dead animal at the scene should I remove it in case it gets predated upon
No. Do NOT interfere with a potential crime scene unless specifically asked to do so by an Authorised Officer