Report to the People
26th December 2005
Not
Just for Christmas
Well that’s that over for
another year.
The turkey’s eaten, the
relatives are back at a safe distance and, thrown into drawers, cupboards, or
(if you’ve got absolutely no shame) the small ads or eBay, are the gifts in
which you’ve already lost interest.
What, though, if it’s not
musical socks or an ironing board cover with which you’re bored?
What if it’s a pet?
Despite all the warnings,
some people still hastily ask for - and give - pets as presents.
And, when the novelty wears off, they’re just as quick to try and
offload them.
While we might claim to be a
nation of animal lovers, this sort of selfish attitude underlines the need for
the Scottish Parliament to press ahead with the new animal welfare Bill in the
new year.
A piece of legislation which
concerned people from Inverclyde helped to shape, this Bill will bring animal
welfare legislation into the 21st century. It will provide enforceable sanctions against animal cruelty
and neglect. There will be stronger
laws against animal fighting and, to allow animals to be taken to a place of
safety before they start to suffer, inspectors will have increased powers of
entry.
Pets are not mere fashion
accessories or toys, there for us to lift and lay as we please.
And we are responsible for more than just avoiding being cruel to them.
We have, as this Bill will enshrine in law, a duty to care for our
animals too.
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