Wednesday, 1 April, 2015
SPCA New Zealand is delighted by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy’s announcement that the Government will amend the Animal Welfare Act to ban the use of animals for testing cosmetics.
“We’re very happy that the Government has listened to lobbying from the Green Party, the RNZSPCA, and other organisations to prevent the use of animals for cosmetic testing in New Zealand,” says Ric Odom, CEO of SPCA New Zealand.
“Although we recognise that animal testing for cosmetics in New Zealand does not currently occur, we believe the amendment sends a clear message that animal testing for non-medical uses is unacceptable. Having said that, our position remains one of steadfast opposition to animal testing in any form unless it is for essential medical research and there is no alternative.
“However, we acknowledge that the total phasing out of animal testing will take time so in the meantime we continue to call for more rigorous justifications for the use of animal testing, the promotion of non-animal models by the Animal Ethics Committees, better reporting of animal deaths, and more humane treatment of animals involved in testing.
“The bottom line is that we strongly oppose any practice that causes animals unnecessary pain and suffering, including animal testing.”
Wednesday, 11 February, 2015
A Kaitaia woman who tied up a dog with wire causing a 24-cm gash in its throat and tied another dog to a clothesline with no shelter was sentenced today.
Chante Roycroft, 32, pleaded guilty in the Kaitaia District Court to the following charges relating to two separate dogs:
- Failing to protect an animal from and rapidly diagnose any significant injury or disease.
- Failing to ensure an ill or injured animal received treatment that alleviated any unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress being suffered by the animal.
- Ill-treatment of an animal causing the animal to suffer unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
- Refusing or failing to comply with requirement of Inspector to prevent or mitigate suffering of an animal.
She was sentenced to four months community detention, disqualified from owning companion animals for five years, and ordered to pay reparations of $84.83.
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