Patricia Warren, Brunswick Heads
Regarding your article yesterday on the decapitated wallaby found on the beach at Byron Bay, cruelty to animals/birds reflects the baseness of the human condition.
Is it possible to have the legislation changed so that anyone found guilty of cruelty is on a national register and barred from working with or owning an animal/bird for a minimum of 10 years?
Of course this would be in addition to an increase in penalties that already apply under the current legislation. It would certainly send a message that animals and birds are sentient beings!
Would be good Patricia, however at present offenders barely get a slap on the wrist when they should be getting the full penalties at law – with native animals I believe it’s minimum $10,000 and/or jail time.
A lot has to change before animals have true justice.
For those concerned about compassion for the underdog (animals, certain people and the environment), a good party to vote for at the next Federal election is the Animal Justice Party (see http://www.animaljusticeparty.org ).
Becoming a member is a vote for the voiceless.