Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Thursday July 5, 2007 - The Star Animal rights LONDON LOG: WITH CHOI TUCK WOO Invertebrates may enjoy the same rights as other animals. ANOTHER week, another seemingly tough-talking outburst from welfare campaigners in Britain. This time, it's not about better care for pensioners or speedier NHS treatment in hospitals. It's got nothing to do with human rights either. Rather, they're talking of animal rights. Yes, spiders, squid, lobsters and octopuses in captivity may soon enjoy the same protection under the law as dogs, cats and horses. So, the next time you and your friends want to pit spiders or fighting fish in a battle to the death, you'd better think again. The issue has sparked claims that when animal rights laws arrived in Britain, common sense flew out of the window. Yet it's hard to avoid the conclusion that there shouldn't be any room for animal cruelty in society, especially in pet-loving Britain. Many felt that spiders, scorpions, lobsters, fish or insects deserve as much care and protection as any other living being. For that matter, no one should get away scot-free for mistreating lobsters or crabs kept in murky restaurant tanks, yet be punished for bashing a puppy or kitten. Should anybody choose to keep a pet for companionship, as a hobby or any other purpose, the onus rests on that person to ensure its safety and well-being. Animals, it was pointed out, do have feelings even though they don't scream in pain when mistreated. Thus, any extension of the Animal Welfare Act could mean restaurant owners being prosecuted for mistreating lobsters or crabs on their menu. " While they could still boil the crustaceans alive to kill them, they would have to ensure the creatures are kept in clean, warm uncrowded tanks up to that point, " according to the Daily Mail. Little boys can, of course, escape punishment for pulling the legs off back garden spiders. But those with pet tarantulas will have to make sure they are kept warm and well fed. In other words, the public could be prosecuted for being cruel to pet spiders, octopuses and restaurant lobsters under the government's animal welfare plans. The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is reportedly mulling over whether invertebrates – the family of animals that include insects, spiders and molluscs – should enjoy the same protection as other animals. The move follows the introduction of the Act in April, with fines of up to £20,000 (RM140,000) for those failing to ensure the basic welfare of animals in their care. Despite claims that some higher invertebrates such as octopuses can feel pain, the law covers only creatures with backbone such as mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. " While it is illegal to mistreat a goldfish, there is nothing to stop people mistreating pet tarantulas or lobsters kept in restaurant tanks, " said the paper. It added that Defra had been consulting scientists, animal rights campaigners and lawyers since November over how animal welfare could be further improved. In its recent report, the department said the proposal to include only vertebrate animals in the scope of the strategy had received mixed reception. It noted that a " significant minority " of those consulted believed some of the more sophisticated invertebrates should be included in animal welfare laws. " Octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, lobsters, crayfish, prawns, shrimps and crabs were among those creatures that generated concern, " it added. Octopuses – which can be taught to make their way through mazes and open screw-top jars – are already protected under animal experiment laws but have no such protection outside the laboratory. An RSPCA spokesman urged the government to extend the welfare laws to include all sentient animals. " We are firmly of the view that cephalopods – octopus, squid and cuttlefish – which are invertebrates, are capable of feeling pain, " he was quoted as saying. The RSPCA, he added, works on the principle that if an animal is capable of suffering, it should receive protection. In any case, there appears to be a general consensus that all animals should be treated as humanely as possible, irrespective of whether they are kept as pets or meant for the dinner table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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