26th April 2004
Animal
Lovers’ “Golden Opportunity” to Have Say in Reforms
Local
animal lovers have a “golden opportunity” to give their furred and feathered
friends better legal protection, according to MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde,
Duncan McNeil.
Broad
proposals to modernise, strengthen and improve the law relating to animals in
the care of humans – which could see, for the first time ever, convictions for
keepers who provide inadequate care which may lead to suffering – have been
unveiled by the Scottish Executive.
The
details, however, are still up for discussion and that, says Mr McNeil, is where
his constituents come in.
Speaking
today, he said:
“They
say we are a nation of animal lovers. And
if the letters and emails in my in-tray are anything to go by, Greenock and
Inverclyde certainly has more than its fair share.
I regularly receive representations from constituents arguing that the
law needs to better protect pets and livestock from cruel or neglectful
treatment.
“The Scottish Parliament is determined to update and strengthen the animal welfare legislation – some of which is almost 100 years old – but is open to suggestions about how exactly this is done. Animal lovers therefore have a golden opportunity to shape the legislation and see some of the measures for which they have campaigned long and hard finally on the statute book.”
Any
future legislation could, for example, see the introduction of an obligation to
ensure anyone owning, managing or keeping animals – including pets –
properly cares for them.
A
ban on the keeping or training of animals for the purposes of fighting or
baiting;
The
outlawing of any financial gain from animal fighting or cruelty;
Licensing
the sale of kittens and trade in young puppies by dealers who purchase them
outside the UK for resale in Scotland;
A
review of the age at which children can purchase pets from pet shops;
A
ban on the “couping”, or uneven shoeing of horses to alter their stance;
A
ban on the docking of dogs' tails; and
Giving
statutory powers to local authorities to allow them to remove neglected
animals which are suffering, or which are at risk of suffering, to a place
of safety.
The
Minister in charge of the law reform, Deputy Environment Minister, Allan Wilson,
said:
"We
recognise that there is much to be done in improving current animal welfare
legislation. These comprehensive
proposals represent a significant first stage in strengthening the protection
given to all animals in the care of humans.
"We
want to see a compassionate and humane Scotland. While most Scots take the responsibility associated with the
care of animals extremely seriously, the exceptions can cause distress to
animals and genuine public concern.
"We
believe that it is unacceptable that authorities must wait until cruelty has
occurred before a prosecution can be brought. These proposals introduce, for the first time, an obligation
on animal owners to meet the physical, psychological and behavioural needs of
their animals. This will ensure
that animals can be better cared for, and that action can be taken even before
they have been subject to any cruelty or suffering.”
Anyone
wishing to contribute to the new legislation, can call Duncan McNeil’s local
office on (01475) 791 820 or log on to:
ENDS
Back to Current Press Releases
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Report to the People ] [ Interact ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ UK Online ] [ Scottish Parliament ]