It's time to give thought to the animals as annual rights day approaches
December 10th sees the 13th annual International Animal Rights Day when the innocent victims of human tyranny are commemorated.
It recognises the right of animals to life, liberty and natural enjoyment.
A YouGov opinion poll revealed that 87 per cent of the British public believe that the way animals are treated is a measure of the state of our society. There is recognition that animals deserve justice and compassion, yet they are under threat from increasing abuse. Animal welfare organisations regard cloning is cruel and unethical but more is reported about the safety of meat from clone animals than animal welfare.
Many MPs would like to see a repeal of the Hunting Act.
The coalition government has proposed a policy to allow farmers/landowners to kill badgers on their land in England and many proposals which would have benefited animal welfare have been watered down, postponed or abandoned.
In the UK, 1,000 million farm animals are killed for meat each year. Most are reared in factory farms which are considered the biggest cause of animal suffering in the world today.
There are proposals for a "mega dairy'' where thousands of cows would be housed in industrial units with little or no access to grazing.
Tens of thousands of animals are poisoned, mutilated and killed in laboratories each year. Increasing numbers of pets are subjected to cruelty or abandoned. In 2009, one animal charity investigated 141,280 cruelty complaints. The list of animal abuse is endless and yet we are supposed to be an animal-loving nation! As the time of peace, love and compassion draws near, it is time we gave greater consideration to the creatures who share this planet with us.
Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.
8 Comments
by Veggie but relaxed about it.., Oadby
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 8:39PM
“I do seriously wonder how Elizabeth sleeps at night..These letters do not enlighten, they simply raise hackles!!”
by Lee, Leicester
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 7:55PM
“Susan Eppel and Elizabeth Allison, please enlighten us with your views on the animal cruelty that is the barbaric halal slaughter.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 5:58PM
“Susan, most of us are fed up with the "same old mantras" of this letter writer, forever ramming her crusade down our throats. You really shouldn't be so disparaging of other "intelligent" letters just because they have an opposing view.
We have eaten meat since time in memoriam and, no doubt, will continue to do so for another 2000 years!!”
by Susan Eppel, Leicester
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 1:48PM
“Well said Elizabeth Allison who, in my view always writes sensible and intelligent letters - shame about some of the more ludicrous commentators - same old mantras.
Of course animals should have fundamental rights - humans are basically animals and the only difference is language and so called intelligence which is debatable in that as a race we do not appear to be moving forward.
In the 21st century having almost wiped out traits such as racism, sexism and any other 'ism' we should afford the same respect to non human animals.
Humans are not a super race we are simply another species with a different name.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 11:56AM
“I knew the name of the writer by the headline!!
Amazing really that we are devoting a day to animals on a par to that of humans.
"87% of the British public believe that the way animals are treated is a measure of the state of society", many also trot out that "we live in a civilised society"
Now which is it, you can't have it both ways?!!”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 11:48AM
“I wonder if Elizabeth is a Vegan like that Gillian McFake in I'm A Celebrity who proclaimed to be a vegan but wore leather boots!!!”
by PB, Leicester
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 11:42AM
“Success... guessed the author by the title of the letter. Thats three time in a row now. Can't be bothered to read the letter, same old ramblings I expect. I am sure she is an unofficial LM columnist!”
by dawn, Leicester
Tuesday, December 07 2010, 11:02AM
“I must be getting good at this! Knew name of writer after first line of letter”