Brian May, Queen guitarist and founder of the animal rights group Save Me, and Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones launched the London Green Party’s animal manifesto on Monday in Battersea Park.
May and Jones were joined by children dressed as animals in front of the Brown Dog Statue in Battersea Park along with the party’s animal spokesperson and London Assembly candidate Caroline Allen.
May said: "I urge anyone who cares about animals to take a look at the Green Party’s manifesto for London in their Mayoral Campaign.
"The Green Party, in this document, have made it clear that they are the only party currently making a better treatment of animals one of their priorities in creating a better London. A vote for Jenny Jones, and votes for the Green Party candidates for the London Assembly will move us all further towards a city that truly takes care of its precious wild animals, domestic animals and those in less fortunate situations."
The Brown Dog statue is a 1984 replacement of a monument erected by the anti-vivisection movement in 1906 but removed by the council four years later after The Brown Dog riots between pro-and anti-vivisection protestors.
Jones said: "I want to make sure this great city leads the country and the world in the way animals are treated, and simple steps at City Hall would make sure that animals in the capital are treated with the respect they deserve."
Allen 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."
A copy of the manifesto can be found at www.jennyforlondon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Green-2012-animal-manifesto.pdf
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).
In addition the party says it will work to:
– Ensure that best practice on status and ‘dangerous’ dogs is shared across the police force and that the Dangerous Dog units are adequately resourced.
– 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.