Memorandum submitted by Valerie Clark
I am writing with two points which I think need
to be considered when looking at this Bill.
1. The issue of circus animals. I do not
think that anyone in this day and age can not agree that these
animals lead most restricted and unnatural lives, and that to
encourage our children to watch these kind of displays is to show
nature, animals and the environment, in a way which can only be
most damaging to them also. I believe that all circuses in the
UK should be totally animal free—including dogs and horses,
although the case is even stronger in the case of "wild"
animals.
2. There is a very strong case, with increasing
animal cruelty, to re-introduce much stricter conditions including
licences for dogs and cats, to encourage owners to take
a much more serious view of taking on a pet in the first
case. Many cases of cruelty are simply a case of inadequate
persons getting animals impulsively. All ownership should be recorded,
and special very low cost licences could be issued to pensioners
etc once serious intention of ownership is offered.
9 August 2004
| 
