Join us

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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*

 

 

 

UK death toll; March 2020

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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.

 

 

 

 

Chinese government considering changes to legal status of dogs

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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.

SEE MEDIA ARTICLE HERE

 

 

 

UK death toll; February 2020

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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.

 

 

 

Let’s pull together

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

UK death toll; January 2020

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111 million, 287 thousand+ animals slaughtered.
 
 
238 thousand+ cattle
1 million, 169 thousand+ sheep
980 thousand+ pigs
108 million, 900 thousand+ “poultry” birds
 
 
Does not include other species such as deer, goats, horses, “game birds”, aquatic animals or animals exported for killing.
 
 
 

Statement on Scottish Animal Welfare Commission

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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.

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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.

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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

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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;

*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

5) Send