GrahamL
Wise Old Thumper
I've been investigating this recently, and it's actually quite difficult to find a 'blunt' answer.
We know Rabbits (and not just rabbits, all vertebrates) have the right of the 'Five Freedoms';
(a)its need for a suitable environment,.
(b)its need for a suitable diet,.
(c)its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,.
(d)any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and.
(e)its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease..
(Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/9)
But how many people who aren't members of a forum, or are involved in animal welfare know this?
I've been really struggling with finding the 'legal' side of it. We all say "its the law / a legal requirement to take a suffering rabbit to a vet".
BUT
How do your regular 'Joe Bloggs' type people know that? It's not publicised in the public eye. It's not pushed home when you 'buy a pet' (dont turn this into a rescue/breeder conversation), so HOW would people know?
I'm more interested in people passing me information on this subject - eg, if you know of somewhere that you have seen/can see that puts forward the legality of the situation and any consequences, on legal grounds, of not offering the veterinary attention side of things perhaps, please could you post it on this thread?
We know Rabbits (and not just rabbits, all vertebrates) have the right of the 'Five Freedoms';
(a)its need for a suitable environment,.
(b)its need for a suitable diet,.
(c)its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,.
(d)any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and.
(e)its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease..
(Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/9)
But how many people who aren't members of a forum, or are involved in animal welfare know this?
I've been really struggling with finding the 'legal' side of it. We all say "its the law / a legal requirement to take a suffering rabbit to a vet".
BUT
How do your regular 'Joe Bloggs' type people know that? It's not publicised in the public eye. It's not pushed home when you 'buy a pet' (dont turn this into a rescue/breeder conversation), so HOW would people know?
I'm more interested in people passing me information on this subject - eg, if you know of somewhere that you have seen/can see that puts forward the legality of the situation and any consequences, on legal grounds, of not offering the veterinary attention side of things perhaps, please could you post it on this thread?