NSW: Animal lovers gather for candlelight tribute
SYDNEY, Aug 17 AAP - Animal lovers will gather at Sydney's Queen Victoria Buildingthis evening for a candlelight tribute to the thousands of homeless animals destroyedevery year in NSW.
The simple ceremony marks International Homeless Animals Day and will mourn the thousandsof unwanted animals that are destroyed in shelters and pounds throughout the state.
World League for Protection of Animals spokeswoman Katherine Rogers said lilies wouldbe laid at the statue of the dog outside the QVB at 6pm (AEST) for the hour-long vigil,in a ceremony being repeated around the globe.
Animal lovers would also use the vigil to call for changes to companion animal lawsthey say result in more pets being destroyed, she said.
"We are recommending to the government that we have changes to the legislation to supportcompanion animal carers because current legislation is so restrictive," she said.
Ms Rogers said changes in legislation have led to the banning of certain breeds ofdogs despite the nature of individuals.
Banning breeds did not reduce the number of dog attacks, she said.
"Dog attacks occur often when young children are left alone with an animal and theyaccidentally or purposely hurt the animal and the dog reacts," she said.
"There was an incident recently when a dog bit a little boy and the dog was put todeath. When they did the autopsy, they found that the dog had a pencil inserted into itsear that went into its brain.
"This was because the boy had been left alone with the dog, and parents must be awarethat you do not leave young children alone with dogs."
NSW councils should also be dedicating more money towards community education aboutresponsible pet ownership, she said.
AAP kp/cjh/de
KEYWORD: DOGS
No comments:
Post a Comment