MP visits Battersea Dogs and Cats Home as part of animal welfare campaign
This week, Cumbrian MP and Lib Dem DEFRA Spokesperson Tim Farron visited one of the UK's oldest and best known animal rescue centres as part of his campaign to improve animal welfare.
During the visit, the team at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home expressed concern about the Government's decision to drop the long-awaited Kept Animals Bill.
The Bill had included proposals to:
- Restrict the keeping of primates as pets,
- Ban the export of livestock for slaughter,
- Ban the import of dogs with cropped ears
- Crackdown on puppy smuggling
Last month, Tim tabled his own Pets (Theft and Importation) Bill in Parliament which seeks to prevent and punish the theft of dogs below a certain age and deter the unlawful importation of certain animals, including dogs and cats.
Speaking after the visit, Tim said: "It was an honour to meet the brilliant team at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who do amazing work caring for animals in need.
"It was really valuable to see first hand why it's so important that we introduce new laws to tackle pet exploitation.
"So I share their immense frustration that, for no good reason, the Government have kicked their plans into the long grass.
"As a nation of pet lovers, we must do everything we can to ensure we put pressure on the Government to act to protect the safety of our beloved animals."