July 23, 2015

Redressing the balance : a small Spanish town approves an animal 'bill of rights'!





Wonderful news! Trigueros del Valle has become the first place to recognise dogs and cats as "non human residents" awarding them equal rights to co-exist alongside their human counterparts.

With a population of just 300, the small town, in the province of Valladolid, has passed a law to guarantee the rights of dogs and cats as citizens of the town. It is not yet known if this includes animals without an owner. However, since they have had the humanity to pass such a law it would be unlikely that they wouldn't include all dogs and cats.

The animal bill of rights was approved unanimously by the new town council. It comprises 13 articles and  also outlines basic tenets against cruelty to animals such as article 9a which states: “No non-human resident should be exploited for the pleasure or recreation of man,” And article 6b which states that “the abandonment of a non-human resident is a cruel and degrading act.”

The resolution bans "any action that causes the mutilation or death of a non-human resident", which means an end to bullfighting in the town. 



"This is a great day for humans and non-human citizens alike," said a statement from animal rights NGO, Rescate 1.


This is encouraging and heartwarming news and the people of Trigueros del Valle should be praised for their sensitivity and intelligence. Let us hope that this humanity spreads to other towns throughout Spain and that other follow their wonderful example.


Source: http://m.thelocal.es/20150721/spanish-town-gives-dogs-and-cats-equal-rights

No comments:

Post a Comment