Memorandum submitted by Alan Dunford
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I wish to submit a comment on the Draft Animal
Welfare Bill. I am a keeper of small finches, namely Zebra Finches
and Bengalese.
1. Many people, including myself, keep birds
in outdoor flights attached to an indoor flight or cages for night
roosting and for the bird's food and water. Many of us, including
myself, do not drive the birds in at night, they are allowed to
choose if they wish to roost outside or indoors. To enter either
the sleeping area or the flights during the hours of darkness
will cause considerable panic, resulting in the birds crashing
into the wires or sides. This will probably cause injury and possibly
death.
2. In Clause 14 (4) it is stated that an
Inspector may not use force to enter between the hours of 11pm
and 5am unless accompanied by a Constable. May I respectfully
recommend that this should be changed to during daylight hours.
I further recommend that a daylight condition be attached to all
inspections with or without warrant in order to cause the birds
the least amount of stress.
25 August 2004
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