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In the current climate, when the human race seems hell
bent on blowing each other from the skies it pays to try
and keep some perspective to the dramas that unfold in our
daily lives. Nevertheless I always feel a little despondent
whenever we come across a patient like "Archie"
who has been deliberately shot with an airgun pellet.
Whilst neglect is still the most common cause behind the
majority of cruelty cases I always find it disturbing that
someone should deliberately set out to inflict pain and
suffering. This concern regarding the type of people who
are capable of animal cruelty has not been lost on the police
service. With the current trend of "profiling",
convicted criminals may well find that how they treated
their pets may have some bearing on their own risk assessment.
The link between animal abuse and subsequent violent crime
is now well established. The current RSPCA statistics of
a 20% increase in convictions secured for cruelty and over
34,000 cases of animals not getting appropriate veterinary
treatment representing an increase of 79% on the previous
year do not make pleasant reading.
In 2007 the law relating to the welfare of pets will change.
Under the Animal Welfare Act (as it will be known) anyone
who is responsible for a pet will have a legal responsibility
to meet the five basic welfare needs of pets.
These encompass the basic requirements of animals from
appropriate feeding through to ensuring they receive adequate
treatment when ill or injured.
For further information the RSPCA
website at www.rspca.org.uk
is certainly worth a look.
Fortunately for Archie he was both insured and owned by
someone who has a high regard for his welfare. Consequently,
his injury was attended to promptly, the pellet was removed
and he is recovering extremely well.
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