Member News
9th October 2012The RSPCA hosted an event at Conservative conference. Speakers included Lord Taylor and Gavin Grant, chief executive of the RSPCA.
Lord Taylor, former Defra minister and now a minister at the Home Office said there would be new animal welfare legislation by this time next year. He was hopeful that this would include dangerous dogs, responsible dog ownership and microchipping.
He said the work the RSPCA has done and continues to do to support "our four legged friends" was to be commended.
"What it does and does so well is it cares for animals and encourages people to do so in their own homes."
Lord Taylor added: "caring for animals transcends party political views".
Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA explained that the RSPCA was established in 1824 with the support of William Wilberforce.
Mr Grant was also keen that any new legislation brought forward should include the treatment of dogs and the use of animals as "attack dogs".
He referred to the work of RSPCA inspectors including the recent court case over livestock transportation from the Port of Ramsgate. The Port will be appealing this ban, but the RSPCA will be fighting it every step of the way.
He also referred to another matter which has also come before parliament before and will do again:
"Performing wild animals have no place in this society. Our civilised society has moved beyond cock fighting and bear bating."
He said that current punishments for animal cruelty convictions stood at six months imprisonment which was not sufficient. The RSPCA would be asking the government to increase this to two years.
The badger cull is also something which the RSPCA is firmly against. Gavin Grant concluded:
"The RSPCA is led by science and there is no science supporting this cull. The RSPCA cares as much about cattle as we do about badgers."
The newly appointed Defra Secretary Owen Paterson attended the event later but did not give a speech.