Statement on Scottish Animal Welfare Commission

Posted on February 29, 2020February 29, 2020

The twelve members who will make up the new Animal Welfare Commission have been announced.

Scotland for Animals Spokesman John Patrick;

“While we are concerned by some of the appointments, and lack of transparency surrounding selection processes, we look forward to hearing the Commission’s ideas on what is required to fix Scotland’s inadequate and ineffective welfare legislation”.

“Problems are systemic from enforcement through to sentencing. We hope that the Commission will acknowledge this, and accept that animals need radical change rather than token measures”.

Scotland for Animals stand for a fundamental overhaul of Scotland’s animal welfare legislation, and the recognition of the rights of non-human animals.

A bill to amend existing law is currently being considered. SfA is calling for the following initial improvements to be included;

*All animals, including invertebrates, to be protected by law

*A maximum life sentence/ unlimited fine for animal cruelty

*The creation of a dedicated Police Scotland unit to investigate animal cruelty and enforce legislation

*The creation of a register for those convicted of cruelty

*Statutory requirement for a multi-agency approach for reporting, investigation and intervention.

*Scrapping of all time bars on prosecution

Committee backs new welfare legislation; Far tougher measures needed.

Posted on February 13, 2020March 19, 2020

The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill has passed Stage 1 after backing from Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee.

SfA concurs with the Committee’s view that “more could be done”. We’ll be watching closely to see if these and other MSPs will ensure effective changes are made at later stages.

Please contact your MSPs Let them know that when it comes to animal welfare Scotland won’t accept token measures. and they must back a radical overhaul of welfare legislation from top to bottom.

Here’s Scotland for Animals’ submission and plan for change;

UK death toll. December 2019.

Posted on February 12, 2020February 12, 2020

89 million, 3 thousand+ animals slaughtered.

217 thousand+ cattle
1 million, 333 thousand+ sheep
953 thousand+ pigs
86 million, 500 thousand+ “poultry” birds

Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.

We need real change, not empty words

Posted on February 3, 2020February 3, 2020

This case is just one example of many of why, when it comes to animals, the law is not fit for the job.

This guy had already been convicted for starving a dog to death. He got a £200 fine.

With new animal law in pipeline we’ve seen pictures of MSPs with sad faces, waving their fists and promising that a new dawn is coming that will cast abusers into a pit.

Their big idea? Raise the maximum penalty from one year to five.

One of the many issues with this is the current one year max is almost never handed down. Neither will the five year one.

In fact, those convicted of cruelty in Scotland almost never to go to jail at all.

By failing to take real action our politicians, of all parties, are displaying their lack of moral mettle. Their trying to kid everybody on that they’re actually doing something when they aren’t, that’s an indication of what they really think of us all human and non-human.

We can’t mess about here. Radical action needs to be taken, and now.

If those in parliament don’t have the decency or bottle to step up, then get them out.

Please contact your MSPs and ask them to support Scotland for Animals’ plan for change. Will only take a few minutes.

1) Go to https://www.writetothem.com/

2) Enter your postcode

3) Choose MSPs

4) Enter message asking them to support;