The political party “For People, Nature and Animals” (PONA) supports the draft law on animal protection proposed by PAS MPs, but has a number of suggestions. In a news conference hosted by IPN, the party’s chairman Ion Dron said it is important to cultivate the people’s respect for animals, alongside actions to reduce the population of animals without owners.
The PONA calls on the authorities to modify some of the notions. The bill defines the animals as biological objects, but these are not objects as they have a nervous system. An increasing number of states now make effort to radically change the concept and attitude to these living creatures. For example, the UK is drafting a set of laws by which the animals will be recognized as beings who suffer. The British legislation provides that the animals have the capacity to fell hunger and pain and are aware of what is going on. The proposed bill should stipulate that the animals are biological organisms who suffer. This will change the entire philosophy of this law.
Ion Dron noted that the problem of animals without owners in the municipality of china and all over the country went out of control. There are two ways to solve this problem: euthanasia and sterilization. The group of MPs’ proposal to solve the problem of animals without owners nationwide by a human method –sterilization – is welcome and this is also in line with scientific recommendations. The PONA suggests that euthanasia should be reorganized as an exceptional procedure and these exceptional cases should be specified by the law.
Ion Dron invoked scientific studies showing the causal relationship between domestic violence and cruelty towards animals. The bill authors are asked to stipulate that the maltreatment of animals is punishable and those to blame will pay damages for the treatment and restoration of the animals’ health.
According to the PONA, the monitoring of the observance of the proposed provisions is not covered by the bill. To prevent and fight illegalities against animals that are in difficulty or in danger, Animal Police should be founded according to the experience and models of particular European states, such as Romania. Beyond the Animal Police, the task of monitoring the observance of the law can be entrusted to animal protection association.
Another suggestion is to develop education in the field. The PONA believes the future law should stipulate the obligation for the responsible ministries to encourage the development of training and educational programs to promote the animal rights and welfare.
Ion Dron also said that the animal welfare and protection is a sector in which nothing has been done for 30 years, with small exceptions. That’s why the group of MPs should implement this intention till the end, but should take into account the suggestions of animal rights activists.
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