Another bridge too far

The UK has done it again. I'm not going to bore anyone by publishing the entire law, but a new law in England requires parental consent for the purchase of ANY animal from a pet store for any minor. Okay, at first glance this seems reasonable. I actually did this back in 1985 when I had my own pet supply/grooming shop. We sold guinea pigs, hamsters, birds and mice. I didn't have fish because they are difficult to manage in large quantities. I had a personal policy pretty much like this in place. I wouldn't sell a hamster or guinea pig to a child without their parent with them. In fact, I often wouldn't sell a guinea pig or bunny to a kid I felt was just not ready for one! This was my choice - my business, my choice. Coincidentally, I eventually went out of business.

Back to the above legislation. Recently, in England, a woman who owns a pet shop sold a goldfish to a young man who appeared to be of age. She did not "card" him, as one is required to do for sales of liquor or tobacco. Yes, I did say a GOLDFISH! She was arrested, handcuffed, taken away and eventually tried for this heinous crime. She was fine a thousand pounds (at todays exchange rate that's about $1500) and is required to wear an electronic ankle bracelet for a couple of months! Did I forget to mention this woman is in her 70's? Did I also forget to mention that the young man in question was sent in by a consumer group to get the "goods" on this horrible elderly woman for selling a GOLDFISH to a teenager. We are not talking about selling to a 5 or 6 year old, we are talking about a teenager. Oh, yes, and she didn't provide him with written instructions on the care of the goldfish. The goldfish was confiscated and is reportedly now living with a police officer.

It has been reported by the press that the woman and her son, who helps in the pet shop, sold a hamster to a mentally challenged teen earlier in the year. The hamster died because of mishandling. Okay - I'm sorry the hamster died, but didn't the girl have parents? How long did the hamster live before it died? But honestly, how many of us had hamsters when we were kids that died? Really, didn't most of us? My hamster's death was a good introduction into the ways of the world.

The point of all of this is $1500 and electronic confinement for selling a goldfish? How is this possible?Recently a couple in Oregon were sentenced to 16 months for allowing their child to die by refusing medical treatment! There are people who commit pretty horrible crimes that get the same punishment as the woman selling a goldfish. What is happening to us?

Daily I read about seizures and warrantless searches and new laws being proposed that are stripping away the rights of everyone to own animals. Wisconsin is proposing a law that will require bond being posted for care of seized animals. In and of itself that's not new. What is new is that if you are found NOT GUILTY, you won't get your money back. You will get back the unused funds you have given the state to care for your animals for no reason! How can that be possible? In November of last year a woman in Arkansas had 25 horses seized from her property. The local law enforcement did so with the aid of our friends at the HSUS. The horses were placed in a pasture with no access to water other than a small, stagnant pond, little graze and no arrangements for the daily feeding of them! The woman was tried and convicted in the court of public opinon, but there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the entire seizure. It seems the local sheriff's office thought that the HSUS was a government agency and acted on their behest! The woman has her horses back, is caring for them, is still awaiting trial but the official owners of the horses are ...yes, the HSUS.

Recently, a national 4-H conference allowed the HSUS to present a seminar! The 4-H & the HSUS?? Talk about the Odd Couple. Even with Humanewatch.org and the queries to the IRS and the RICO suit filed by Ringling Bros, the HSUS and PETA are still dictating public policy regarding animals in this country.

We simply must do a better job of educating JQP. As members of the dog fancy, as people who adore and treasure their animals, we must do more to educate. We need to go to local events, such as our local Springfest here, invest the $25 or $50 for a booth and hand out brochures, introduce people to well bred purebred dogs, let them know that they are in jeopardy as well.

Enough preaching to the choir tonight. I'm still really horrified that a 70 year old woman had to pay a $1500 fine for selling a goldfish. 

Why I breed dogs - the lovely Pandy (Clarkens You Take My Breath Away) and her girl, Delaney Beale.

The tenderness of this photo takes my breath away.

Comments

[Pat Ward]

Atta girl, Kathy!! I totally agree that the AR groups, especially H$U$ and PETA are running out of control. Pet owners in CA have been under seige for years. We manage small victories along the way, but they keep coming back. And they ARE winning one baby step at a time. I hope all the AR volunteers who think they are helping the poor animals somehow eventually learn the truth before it is too late.

Pat

[Paula G from Indiana]

From what I understand of articles I read about the Terrible Goldfish Lady, is that they fined her 1,000 pounds, but the whole thing cost taxpayers about 20,000!!!! I am sure there is nothing else in that town that needed that kind of money.......

This is one terrific blog, thank you.

[Pemmom]

Update on the Goldfish Lady - they commuted her sentence and she's off the bracelet - only has to do community service now. WOW - how lenient :-(