Slovakia does not have a specific law on animal protection and according to the animal rights organisation Sloboda Zvierat, the current law on veterinary care and several state regulations do not guarantee the basic needs of animals or their dignified death, said representatives of the group at a press conference on October 3 in presenting their campaign for a new law, the SITA newswire reported. The group also welcomed the initiative of several MPs who are working on such a bill.
"Such a draft is already prepared at the Agriculture Ministry. Representatives of the public can express their opinions about it," said MP Martin Poliačik from the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, as quoted by the SITA newswire. The MP added that the draft’s first reading could take place this year. Poliačik stated that Slovakia lags far behind other European states in this area but he praised the fact that MPs of both the governing coalition and the opposition are members of a group working on the proposal.
"The law should define animals as live beings with feelings," said Romana Brezinová from Sloboda Zvierat. She specified several areas which should be regulated by a new law, including an absolute prohibition of keeping dogs on a chain; prohibition of breeding hens in battery cages; prohibition of the export of young lambs, and transport of animals intended for slaughter for no longer than eight hours.
She added that the state should also prohibit private individuals from keeping large exotic animals such as lions, sharks or bears in Slovakia. Sloboda Zvierat also is demanding that circuses that use trained animals should be prohibited in Slovakia.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
