| According to Anna Nicole Smith, her dogs are boycotting pet food maker Iams. Smith said her pooches are protesting and are refusing to eat food from Iams in a new advertisement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA. Smith states that her pets are boycotting Iams until it ceases animal testing in its labs. Smith is a former Playboy model. PETA claims that an undercover investigation a few years ago revealed what has been described as deplorable conditions in the Iams contract laboratory. PETA claims that at least 27 dogs have been killed. The organization lists other abuses such as cramped conditions and the removal of the vocal cords from dogs to prevent barking. Iams disputes these allegations.
From the European convention for protection of the rights of pets:
Age restrictions for acquisition of animals:
People below 16 years of age can not keep any pet without the consent of parents and guardians.
Training:
No animal should be trained in a way, which can harm its health and well-being. Especially no animal should be forced to exceed the natural abilities or strength, and also it is prohibited to use other means which can cause injury, pain, sufferings or anxiety to the animal.
Trade, commercial breeding and overexposure of animals, shelter for animals:
1. Any body who is engaged in commercial breeding or trade of pets, and also possessing the shelter for animals, after implementation of this Convention with the time period, defined by each side, should declare it to the authorized bodies. Any body, wishing to practice any one of the above-mentioned types of activity, should also declare his intention to the authorities.
2. In his statement to the competent authority, he should specify:
a) Type of pets, which is engaged with or planning to;
b) Authorized person and his special training;
c) Description of the premise and the equipment which is used or will be used.
3. Above mentioned activity can be carried out only:
a) If the authorized person has special knowledge and abilities, necessary for this work, or as a result of professional training or sufficient work experience of handling the pets:
b) If the premise and the used equipment correspond to the requirements of article 4.
4. Competent body defines on the basis of application, made as per the conditions of point 1, his conformity to the conditions, stated in point 3. If the conditions are inadequate, it is recommended to take special actions and if required, staring and continuation of such activity can be prohibited for the well-being of animals.
Advertising, entertainment, competition and similar activities:
1. Pets should not be used for advertising, participation in entertainment, exhibitions and similar activities, if:
a) Organizers do not provide adequate conditions for pets according to the requirements of article 4 of point 2;
b) There is a threat to the health and well-being of pets.
2. It is prohibited to give any substances, to carry out the processing or use any gadgets, leading to increase or decrease in natural characteristics of animal:
a) During competitions;
b) During any other time, when it can threaten the health and well-being of animal.
Surgical operations:
1. Surgical operations for the purpose of change in the appearance of pets other than for medical purposes, should be prohibited, including:
a) Chopping of tails;
b) Trimming of ears;
c) Change in voice;
d) Removal of fangs and claws.
2. An exception to this prohibition (point 1) can be made only:
a) If the veterinary doctor suggests that non-clinical interventions are necessary for animal under veterinary-medical symptoms or useful to the animal;
For preventing the reproduction:.
3. Conduction of operation:
a) Operations, in which the animal undergoes or may undergo severe pain, should be carried out only under anesthesia by a veterinary surgeon or under his supervision;
b) Operations, in which anesthesia is not required, can be carried out only by an authorized person as per national legislation.
Special measures concerning homeless animals:
Reduction in population:
1. If the signing side considers, that the population of homeless animals creates problem, it should take the adequate legalized and/or administrative measures, necessary for reduction in population, so that it does not cause imminent pain, suffering or fear to the animals.
a) Such measures should correspond to the following requirements:
- catching of animals must be carried out in such a way that it causes them minimum physical or mental suffering;
- Keeping or killing of caught animals should be carried out according to the principles, stated in this Convention;
The sides should consider:
- Cats and dogs should be identified in the corresponding ways, with subsequent registration of their numbers, and also surnames and addresses of owners;
- control on un-planned breeding of dogs and cats is possible by carrying out the castration of these animals;
- Necessity for stimulation of search of stray dogs and cats and informing the authorities about them.
Exceptions to catching, keeping and killing:
Exception to the principles, offered in this Convention for catching, keeping and killing of vagrant and homeless animals, can be made only within the limits of the national programs for fight against diseases.
Information and education:
Information and educational programs:
The agreeing sides should stimulate the development of information and educational programs to promote the awareness about cooperation between the organizations and the individuals, who are engaged in keeping, breeding, training, trade and over-exposure of pets, about the conditions and principles of this Convention. In these programs, special attention should address the following situations:
a) Necessity of preparation of animals for commercial objectives or competitions by the persons, having corresponding knowledge and abilities;
b) Necessity to dissuade:
- Gift pets to kids below 16-year of age without the consent of their parents or guardians;
- To give away pets as awards or prizes;
- To rear the pets unplanned;
c) Possibility of negative consequences to the health and well-being of wild animals if they are kept as pets;
d) Danger in the irresponsible acquisition of pets, as it leads to an increase in the number of abandoned animals. |
