The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee met on May 26th to agree amendments to Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill.
Apart from some admirable proposals, such as extending protections to animals such as octopodes, crabs and lobsters (Colin Smyth), lawmakers are missing the point completely.
The flaw running through the whole structure is welfare legislation is often not enforced in the first place.
It can be extremely difficult to get Police Scotland to accept the reporting of an offence, and if they do, often no action is taken.
If action is taken there’s no assurance that Procurators Fiscal will pursue a prosecution. If they do, most offenders walk from court either simply admonished, or with a limited “ban” which almost certainly will not be monitored.
This is the fundamental issue. If law isn’t even enforced, the legislation’s effectively useless.
What our politicians plans amount to is the suggestion that if you fit a brand new exhaust to a car with no engine, it’ll make it go faster.
Stage 3 is next, and this is the last chance we’ll have to actually make effective change to the Bill.
Please take a couple of minutes to contact your MSPs and ask that they commit to supporting Scotland for Animals five points for change;
Your voice can make the difference.
Since Coronavirus outbreak was deemed a national emergency, those involved in the slaughter and butchering of animals have been officially designated “Critical Workers”.
“Essential” to the functioning of society.
In the same category as nurses, midwives, paramedics, doctors.
We can’t go on like this.
UK death toll – April 2020
113 million, 25 thousand+ animals slaughtered.
209 thousand+ cattle
984 thousand+ sheep
932 thousand+ pigs
110 million, 900 thousand+ “poultry” birds
Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.
*Source; UK Government
Since Coronavirus regulations were announced, we haven’t stopped working for Scotland’s animals.
Although we’ve put in place measures to make sure we continue to be there for them, one part of our work that has been affected is our street campaigning and outreach events.
We intend to get back out and into our communities as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you want to join us please message, or email sarah@scotlandforanimals.org, and we’ll keep you in the loop.
Stay positive, we’ll all get through this together.
*Incidents of animal cruelty look to be increasing through lockdown. If you suspect it, report it*
90 million, 740 thousand+ animals slaughtered.
252 thousand+ cattle
1 million, 23 thousand+ sheep
965 thousand+ pigs
88 million, 500 thousand+ “poultry” birds
Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.
The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture has proposed legislation to reclassify dogs as “non-livestock” animals.
If successful, and if enforced, this will at least reduce animal suffering.
It’s unclear whether any regulations will also address consumption of dog meat.
While welcome, this is an example of the irrational position of some animals being seen as “pets”, and others as food.
This cognitive dissonance isn’t exclusive to China, it’s enshrined in law across the UK.
On paper, it’s illegal to punch a cow. You can, however, legally repeatedly and forcibly impregnate them, slaughter and eat them, and kidnap and kill their young.
You can also mutilate and torture animals perfectly lawfully, as long as it’s for “research”.
To inflict suffering on any animal, or deprive him or her of their freedom is an injustice and a crime.
If we wouldn’t do it to a dog, we shouldn’t do it to a pig.
88 million, 465 thousand+ animals slaughtered.
226 thousand+ cattle
955 thousand+ sheep
884 thousand+ pigs
86 million, 400 thousand+ “poultry” birds
Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.
With developments across the UK and beyond, we realise that people may be struggling with companion animals.
If you know of anybody experiencing problems such as exercising an animal or getting food/ bedding in, please give them a dig out if you can.
We’ll come out the other side of this soon, and we’ll come out together.
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