The Church's Environment Commission has condemned cruelty to animals without any reservations.

In a statement it said, however, that although it was necessary to condemn cruelty, the cause of the problem had to be addressed.

Christians, the Commission said, had a responsibility towards the creation and all members of the church had to help promote respect towards animals, first and foremost by example.

Cruelty to animals, it said, could take several forms.

These included in the rearing and slaughtering of animals for the food industry, in the training and keeping of animals for the entertainment industry, in fashion - for fur production and in cosmetic testing, in experimentation for research purposes, and in the pollution of their habitats.

The Commission also commented against the keeping of exotic animals as pets.

These, it said, were considered wild animals and used to large spaces and conditions that were much different to those they were finding themselves in.

Moreover, for every pet arriving to a pet shop, thousands would have died as they were being caught and transported.

The Commission said that cruelty can be reported to the Animal Welfare Department on 2590 4113 or 2590 4132 or the police.

The commission's statement in full can be read in the pdf link below.