Please call your dog

TGFT

The law to stop it was an EU law. Our government voted against adopting it into UK law.
Seems wrong to me, but I care about all animals, not just pet dogs.
Last post on this thread.

Because there are bad apples in all corners of society. The fact that the nspcc exists doesn't mean everyone ill treats their children, nor that they condone it when done by others.

www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/sentientbeings/takeaction

Why does the RSPCA need to do this if we are all animal lovers?
Why do they feel the need to stop puppy farms?

Oldwoman70
Does every thread have to be turned into a political fight?
It would seem so, wouldn't it? Reckon a thread about custard creams would too.

Exactly Oldwoman.

We love our animals, will always protect them, and will always be outraged by animal cruelty - and we are able to make our own laws. End of.

Does every thread have to be turned into a political fight?

"Amendment 350 proposes transposing article 13 of the TFEU into UK law to recognise the sentience of animals. If we look at the words of the Environment Secretary, the Government seem to have changed their position. They appeared to give a commitment to transpose the provision back in July. I do not understand why expert groups such as the Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare or Wildlife and Countryside Link would be suggesting that we need a separate provision if it already existed in existing animal welfare legislation. They are the experts on this, and I am listening to them. I point out that even under EU law, Britain is not a beacon in this regard. A constituent of mine, Mr Peter Tutt, has done a huge amount to raise awareness of the fact that much marine life that is recognised as sentient in other countries is not recognised as such in the UK."

A month ago, Gove said he was an animal and was going to stick up for animal rights.
All UK animal charities are up in arms about this clause being turned down.

DJ. "It's the right to be treated humanely, BY humans, not the right to be treated AS a human."

How strange that this has turned anti Brexit DJ.

I suspect most Brits do NOT need a law. One only has to travel across Europe to notice most countries do not cherish their domestic animals the way we do in the UK. We tend to be an nation of animal lovers and that has been said for years. My DC have remarked on the ill treatment and suffering of animals in many European countries. Strays are rife and animals suffer openly in the streets. Go to Greece. I haven't been for a few years but I remember wanting to come home taking at least a dozen mangy, unloved cats and dogs with me - as well as goats and donkeys!

Let's not make this about leaving the EU. There are people every where (including the UK) who maltreat animals and neglect them but the sense of outrage in the UK is likely to be loudest heard throughout the world. We probably set the standards for animal welfare.

If we don't take EU law with us, it is enshrined in the nation. We do not need Brussels telling us how to care for dumb animals. Animal rights are almost bred into us! We've taught Europe how to be more compassionate.

Without doubt UK animal charities and public opinion will ensure our animals have the same rights when we leave Brussels, and more.

I don't think anyone here is arguing against the right of animals to be treated humanely.

Childish, elegran. Nobody wanted them to have the right to vote.
The right to be seen as a sentient being is quite different. It's the right to be treated humanely, BY humans, not the right to be treated AS a human.

www.ciwf.org.uk/news/2017/07/brexit-should-not-be-at-the-cost-of-britains-animals

It took years for animals to be recognised as sentient beings, and now the Tories have decided they are not.
Not trying to highjack the thread, but dogs are animals, too, no matter how many owners pretend they are not.

This thread seems to have caused a division in the GN ranks! Those of us who are afraid of dogs are not dog (or animal) haters, we accept many look upon their dogs as great companions, we accept dogs need to be exercised.

All we are asking is that owners recognise that not everyone thinks their pet is wonderful and that owners keep the animal under control. As I said previously, I live close to countryside and there are certain fields and woods where I know dogs are allowed off lead to run and play - so I avoid those fields and woods. However, I do ask that whilst walking the dogs to those places the owners keep the dogs on a lead in order that I too can enjoy my walk in the country.

Not "equal to humans" though - the right to vote, for instance, is not appropriate. We don't (yet) have an elected representative of canine voters sitting in the HoC on the hallowed benches. Perhaps the speaker had better put in a requisition for some mudproof throws and a few squeaky toys just in case.

vampire would have thought the right to live a normal life for that species is quite high up there.

"MPs voted 313 to 295 against Green MP Caroline Lucas’s amendment on Clause 30 of the EU Withdrawal Bill, with SNP MPs voting in favour.

The amendment would have transferred the EU legal principle that animals are sentient beings into UK law.

OneKind, Scotland’s leading animal campaigns charity, has now called on the Scottish Government to ensure the principle is enshrined in Scottish law.

Director Harry Huyton said: “This has been a principle of EU law for twenty years. Its introduction was a landmark moment for animal protection in Europe as it recognised that all animals are sentient beings and that the European Union had a duty to ‘pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals’ when developing and implementing policy.

“This has become a bedrock for animal protection across Europe and is a key legal principle. Its loss as a result of Brexit would be a major backwards step for animals and would send a strong message that the UK is willing to sacrifice animal welfare for economic gain.”

He added: “Whilst Westminster might be willing to take this step backwards, we can’t believe that the Scottish Parliament would.

“Today we’re therefore calling on the Scottish Government to urgently bring forward a proposal that would enshrine the principle of animal sentience in Scottish law.”

80% of animal welfare law in the UK currently comes from the EU."

NFK, tell that to all the 300+ Tory MPs who said they are not.

What sort of rights? Equal to humans? I'm confused. Surely an animal is just an animal. I don't mean they should be cruelly treated but I don't know what rights they should have.

Oh for goodness sake! Of course they are sentient beings. So are a whole lot of other creatures. But comparable with humans? Noooo! They see life as a dog sees life, with a dogs senses which are different from ours. Different from cats, different from horses. All animals should have rights. Why single out dogs?

Caroline Lucas yesterday tried to get Parliament to agree to animals being sentient beings so they would have rights after Brexit. All the Tories voted against it, so sorry, they might be in the US but not in the UK.

Apparently Durhamjen , they can considered to be sentient .

^ The ability to experience positive emotions, like love and attachment, would mean that dogs have a level of sentience comparable to that of a human child. And this ability suggests a rethinking of how we treat dogs.^

Quote courtesy of the New York Times .

Even a tent in the park could become a magnet for a couple of "They're just being friendly" dogs to be coped with.

Hi Gemmag yes the chapter I quoted from was about dogs. The next time I look at the book I will check on bears. ?

Yes my DS has been a bit of an explorer himself. He worked for Raleigh International as a Volunteer so worked out in the wilds of Milawi and Nicaragua and hopes to take his boys adventuring when they are older. I am not talking about a tent in the park ?

You're right, Elegran. I am afraid of dogs and I am not a wimp.

I feel that there are more and more dogs around these days, and a worrying increase in the pit bull type too. I get very annoyed by dogs barking at me from their houses or gardens when I'm walking or running on the public pavement and not going near their doors or gates. I'm entitled to be there!

The sort of owner who uses the 'He's only wanting to be friendly' line would be a bit taken aback if my little DGS decided that he wanted to be friendly too, and went up and dribbled all over the owner, not to mention exercising his new teeth...