Guest Post by Sophie McAdam
New Zealand has just set a great example to the world by recognizing what animal lovers have known forever- that our furry friends are as sentient as we are, and (obviously) they have feelings just like we do.
It’s a theme we have covered time and again here
at True Activist, but this landmark ruling by NZ is the first time this
shift in perception and policy has been extended to all animals, not just chimpanzees, orangutans, or dolphins.
The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, passed last month, aims to make it
easier to prosecute people in animal cruelty cases, as well as banning animal testing and research.
Animal rights activists have celebrated the decision. “To say that animals
are sentient is to state explicitly that they can experience both
positive and negative emotions, including pain and distress,” said
Dr Virginia Williams, chair of the National Animal Ethics Advisory
Committee. “The explicitness is what is new and marks another step along
the animal welfare journey.”
New Zealand Veterinary Association president Dr Steve Merchant said
the bill greater clarity, transparency and enforce-ability of animal welfare laws, according to the country’s regional newspaper the Nelson Mail.
“Expectations on animal
welfare have been rapidly changing, and practices that were once
commonplace for pets and farm stock are no longer acceptable or
tolerated,” he said. “The bill brings legislation in line with our
nation’s changing attitude on the status of animals in society.”
You can read the entire Bill here. Let’s hope the rest of the world follows suit!
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