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"the Rights and Liberties
asserted and claimed in the said Declaration are the true ancient and
indubitable Rights and Liberties of the People of this Kingdome"
Text from the English
Bill of Rights, 1688
WESTMINSTER
(UK) — ...and
the dogs, don't forget the dogs. Three centuries following the
historic declaration of the Bill of Rights guaranteeing the freedoms
of all British subjects, the country's four-footed denizens may
finally get written in as well.
Animal Welfare Minister Elliot
Morley
will speak on Tuesday to outline possible recommendations for a
"bill of rights" that would guarantee dogs, cats and other
pets a minimum quality of life.
“The Protection
of Animals Act dates back to 1911," says Mr. Morley.
"It has been amended over the past 90 years, but its roots go
back to the 19th Century. We need to have in place legislation
that not only protects animals against physical abuse, but also
recognizes quality of life and physiological needs."
The Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has spent the last
four months drawing up a sort of "Pets' Declaration of
Rights" after consulting with over 200 organizations (including
the British
Hamster Association and Campaign
Whale ...although anybody who's got a pet whale shouldn't have to
be told how to care for it, I'm sure).
Highlighted in Mr. Morley's plan is the creation of a new offense
of treating animals in a way “likely to cause suffering."
Under the present laws, a violation can only be cited after an animal
has already been harmed. The new offense is aimed at preventing
animals from being contained under conditions not acceptable to their
species, such as not allowing a cat to roam in the garden.
(Or in the case of Wags, not allowing him to roam in the eggplant lasagna.)
According to today's Sunday
Times, Tuesday's debate will likely focus on the RSPCA's proposed
“five freedoms” which it would like to see upheld for all pets and
circus animals. It believes they should be entitled to:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst:
enough good food and water to keep them healthy.
- Freedom from discomfort:
comfortable cages or resting areas.
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease
and rapid veterinary treatment if they are ill.
- Freedom to express normal behavior
so they have enough space and company.
- Freedom from fear and distress:
treatment that avoids mental suffering.
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Offering an interesting historical perspective is Honey,
a part-Collie, part-Greyhound, part-Whippet mix available for adoption through Greyhound
Awareness League (UK). Click on her picture for more info.
In particular, DEFRA is hoping to consolidate and update the current laws
protecting captive animals:
- Protection of Animals Act 1911
- Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
- Pet Animals Act 1951
- Cockfighting Act 1952
- Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
- Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
- Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970
- Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991
- Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988
- Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Issues that will not be addressed are:
- Hunting with dogs - the Government has already carried out a lengthy
consultation on this issue.
- The regulation of the use of animals in scientific procedures, which
is a highly complex and specialized subject with its own dedicated
legislation and is the responsibility of The Home Office.
- Protection of zoo animals - DEFRA has already carried out a
consultation seeking views on this issue and separate legislation will
be prepared to implement an EU Directive.
Mr. Morley says: "This is a broad and sensitive area of
legislation on which we plan to consult widely and openly to make sure the
law reflects the animal welfare needs of the 21st Century. This will
be a lengthy process but we need to take our time and get it right so that
any resulting changes stand the test of time."
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