Animals are living creatures, not gadgets, toys or accessories and no products or means to entertain people. Animals deserve proper protection. This starts with the recognition of their rights and respect for their own nature and needs. It defines the limits of the purposes for which animals may be used.
We want to move away from the automatic assumption that animals can be used for just any purpose. Entertainment, sports, advertising purposes and fashion are not good reasons to use, harm or kill animals.
The welfare of animals is in peril due to the manner in which they are bred, traded, held and slaughtered. Any abuse or neglect of animals by humans calls for immediate and strong action.
A lifetime ban from keeping animals for perpetrators of serious animal cruelty, higher maximum sentences for animal torturers and a ban on killing your own pets. Thanks to the adoption of these three legislative amendments last week, the Dutch Party for the Animals has achieved a huge breakthrough in tackling animal abuse and neglect. Party for the Animals MP Frank Wassenberg is overjoyed: “Finall...