Only in the UK...

Bad as our system might be, and it does leave something to be desired, aren't you glad that we had that revolution?
 
Legal fleas
(Filed: 11/07/2004)

Here is some heartening news for invertebrates: under new Government proposals, creatures such as insects, worms and slugs will be protected from mistreatment if it can be proved that they suffer pain and distress.

This will pose a legal dilemma for gardeners, who have a number of ingenious ways of disposing of the plant-guzzling invaders. Some cut the offenders in two; others employ saucers of beer, in which drunken slugs drown. A spokesman for Peta, the animal welfare group, has welcomed the proposals, saying: "Compassion must be extended to all living beings. Stamping on a slug sets an example to children that 'might makes right'."

Yet while stamping is a clear case of malign intent, other pest-control strategies will keep the lawyers busy. Is the gardener who puts out beer, for example, to blame for a slug's propensity to drink itself to death? And what of the attacking mosquito: if we squash it, does that not count as self-defence?

If insects and molluscs are to be afforded the law's protection, there will be little argument for excluding bivalves. How prophetic were the words of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, who so long ago warned that: "Animal rights, taken to their logical conclusion, mean votes for oysters."
 
"Compassion must be extended to all living beings. Stamping on a slug sets an example to children that 'might makes right'."
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I can think of some two legged slimey things that need to be "stamped".
 
I would LOVE to see them show that bacteria, and viruses can FEEL pain!!! That would solve the problem in the UK once and for all.
 
when you have lawyers and lawmakers spending their time worrying about whether insects feel pain or not you know you've got a big waste of time. Wouldn't it be funny to have someone have a big trial over killing a slug and walk because of lack of evidence but everyone knows they did it and cares, kinda like o. j. exept funny
 
The rifles were representative of the 640m handguns in use in the world today – a number increasing at the rate of more than 7m a year
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Don't you love how AK-47's are representitive of handguns?? :rolleyes: :confused:

As for the mosquitos, just wait for west nile to strike them. Then see how much compassion they have for mosquitos. But yes, you are screwed when lawmakers start to protect bugs.
 
I find myself so curious that I might not be able to sleep tonight, but the connection, such as it might be, between the destruction of a case of what were described as DUMMY RIFLES, and whatever might be the actual number of HANDGUNS in the world somehow escapes me.

Possibly, just possibly, some of those concerned types at OXFAM and or similar organizatioins might be able to clarify the thing for me. Failing that, perhaps someone else could.
 
Anybody watch Monty Python's Flying Circus?
And now, Hank Spim, who lost his left arm in a fight with a meal worm comments:
"There's nothing more dangerous than a wounded mosquito..."
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Sad, most could just laugh about it at one time.
 
If insects and molluscs are to be afforded the law's protection, there will be little argument for excluding bivalves. How prophetic were the words of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, who so long ago warned that: "Animal rights, taken to their logical conclusion, mean votes for oysters."
Click to expand...
So who gets to vote for them?
 
More on the fleas ..... And note the two highlighted points in the article below;

Unborn animals can be "victims" but not human beings???

And now the police have a handy avenue to gain entry into a home without a warrant - just enlisting the help of their friendly comrades in the RSPCA ;)

Got to hand it to 'em, using doublethink to lead people into "feeling safe" from possibly corrupt RSPCA inspectors when they don't have warrants .... by letting the police in with them. No warrant needed!!


The Telegraph (U.K.)
Gardeners critical over slug protection laws
By Fiona Govan
(Filed: 11/07/2004)

A new animal welfare law that will offer slugs and snails the same protection as cats and dogs was condemned by gardeners yesterday.

Legislation to be announced by the Government this week will give courts the power to impose fines of up to £20,000 and 12 months in jail on people found guilty of mistreating animals. Anyone under the age of 16 will be banned from owning a pet and goldfish will no longer be allowed to be given as prizes at fairgrounds.

The legislation could lead to gardeners being fined for killing insects, worms, caterpillars, slugs and snails, if scientific evidence proves they have suffered pain and distress. Ministers say the law, which updates existing legislation, is needed to protect animals from abuse. Horticulturalists rejected the idea that they could be guilty of cruelty.

Bunny Guinness, The Telegraph gardening columnist and six-times winner of the gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, said gardeners should not be liable to fines for protecting their gardens. "Hundreds of slugs and snails are being slaughtered in gardens up and down the country. It would be quite ridiculous to call that cruelty. Almost all gardeners use slug pellets or salt to keep the pests at bay," she said.

John Cushnie, a regular panellist on Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time, said some aspects of the legislation were nonsensical. "To give worms and slugs protection under the law is ludicrous. If I have an infestation of slugs or snails or cabbage white butterflies then I will get rid of them in whatever way I choose. No one is going to tell me that the things are suffering. If I want to boil them alive, stamp on them or treat them to a slow drawn-out death by poison then I will - and would like to see the Government that would try to interfere with a man and his garden."

The draft Bill, which updates the Protection of Animals Act 1911, will be published next week by Ben Bradshaw, the minister for animal welfare. The penalties for cruelty would double the present maximum jail sentence and substantially increase the £5,000 maximum fine. Anyone owning a pet, farm or exotic animal would have a statutory duty of care towards it and could have it taken away. They could also be banned from looking after another. Unborn animals will receive the same protection.

RSPCA inspectors would gain the right to enter without a warrant any lorry, ferry, plane or hovercraft carrying animals. This has been included because of the growing awareness of the suffering of livestock on long journeys.

Inspectors entering a private home without a warrant would need to be accompanied by police.

The crackdown follows pressure from the RSPCA and organisations such as the Kennel Club, but has been criticised for not going far enough. The draft contains no reference to circus animals and fails to ban tail docking.

The RSPCA welcomed the Bill but said it would continue to campaign for stricter protection. "This would be the single most important piece of welfare legislation affecting animals since 1911," a spokesman said.

The Countryside Alliance expressed concern that the law would be interpreted for animals used for sport or recreation. Even though the changes are not intended to affect hunting, shooting or fishing, the alliance fears animal rights campaigners could attempt to use them in relation to dogs in hunt kennels, racehorses in stables and pheasants reared for game shoots. A spokesman said: "The law could be taken too literally. If people can be prosecuted for causing their pets psychological distress then a man could be arrested for having a depressed dog."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai...lug11.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/07/11/ixhome.html
 
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