The London Green Party has called for more action in the capital on anti-social dog behaviour ahead of International Animal Rights Day on Saturday.
This week the party launched its ‘Action Plan for Animals’, which sets out its policies ahead of the London Mayoral elections in May 2012.
The Dog Control Bill, which has recently been passed by the House of Lords, has drawn criticism from the RSPCA for being too ‘reactive’. The charity has called for the legislation to be redrawn.
Caroline Allen, a veterinary surgeon standing for the party in the North East constituency (Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest) said: “Through policy, education and procurement decisions London could really take the lead in this area and set a great example to other cities."
“Animals can give a lot of pleasure, whether through watching wildlife in our parks and green spaces, or caring for a family pet. But there are also problems; many animals have miserable lives, whether in a factory farm, laboratory or puppy farm."
"In London itself a lot of people are concerned about growing anti-social behaviour with dogs and our rescue centres are full of unwanted dogs. Irresponsible breeding is totally out of hand in certain areas of the capital and we need coordinated action to tackle it.”
Policies within the plan include:
- Lobbying for dogs to only be sold from pet shops if they are already micro-chipped, vet-checked and with name and address of breeder.
- Ensuring all animals must be sold with information about how to care for them which must include the Defra Code of Practice (for dogs, cats and equids).
- Ensure that best practice on status and ‘dangerous’ dogs is shared across the police force and that the Dangerous Dog units are adequately resourced.
In addition the party says it will work to:
- Ensure that all purchasing across the Greater London Authority group (City Hall, Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade) conform to strict ethical rules, including non-animal tested cleaning products.
- End London’s fur trade.
- Install tougher licensing conditions for pet shops to ensure better traceability, disease control and welfare, supported by regular veterinary inspections.
- Producing comprehensive information on vegetarian and vegan diets for all boroughs and authorities so that all London’s schools, hospitals and prisons offer healthy vegetarian and vegan options.
Noel Lynch, Green Party London Coordinator and Assembly candidate, said: “In the past 11 years Green members of the London Assembly persuaded the Mayor to pioneer a London Food Strategy and establish the London Food Board, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare."
“They have exposed factory farmed chicken that will be served at the Olympics, and secured funding to enhance and connect up the largest network of wildlife habitats through ten boroughs in east London.”
The plan can be found here: bitly.com/greenanimalplan