THE ASSOCIATE PARLIAMENTARY
GROUP FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
An all party group for members of both houses at Westminster formed to promote and further the cause
of animal welfare by all means available to the Parliaments at Westminster and in Europe
Chair: Eric Martlew MP; Joint Vice Chairs: Dr Nick Palmer MP; Rt Hon Elliot Morley MP
Joint Honorary Secretaries: Norman Baker MP, Baroness Gale, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior;
Treasurer: David Amess MP
Pedigree Dogs, Ceremonial Hats and the Link Between Child Abuse, Domestic Violence
and Animal Abuse.
Tuesday 3rd June 2008
Committee Room 19, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
MINUTES
Present:
Political Members: Eric Martlew MP, Baroness Gale, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Eliot Morley MP,
David Drew MP, ???, Bill Wiggin MP, Lord Soulsby
Associate Members: Lord NcNair (ECMA), Meriel France (Pet Care Trust), Maureen Hennis (Pets as
Therapy), Katherine Clements (League Against Cruel Sports), Douglas Batchelor (League Against Cruel
Sports), Claire Harper (The Mayhew Animal Trust), Joy Lee ( Association of Lawyers for Animal
Welfare), Rosie Rigden (Compassion in World Farming), Sian Phillips (Compassion in World Farming),
Peter Jinman (BVA), Nicky Poull (BVA), Rachel Wain (BVA), Richard Ryck (RSPCA), Barbara Gardner
(Respect for Animals), Anne Wignall (Respect for Animals), Dr James Kirdwood (UFAW & CAWC),
Gerard Duve (FRAME), Laura Vallance (The Kennel Club), Bill Lambert (The Kennel Club), Candy King
(Dolly’s Directive), Men McKie (Waterside Action Group), Nicola Pulman (WSPA), Manue Hooper-Bue
(OATA), Henry Hoppe (Defra), Clarissa Baldwin (Dog’s Trust), Davids Warner (National Animal
Welfare Trust), Bob Baylis (RSPCA), Nathan Kobintz,, Nicole Harrison (PfMA), Phil Sketchley (NOAH),
Alistair Currie (PETA), Freda Scott-Park (LINKS), Nicola Sharp (LINKS)
Apologies:
Political Members: Stephen Hesford MP, Mike Hancock MP, Ian Stewart MP, Lord Haskell, Bill Olner
MP
Associate Member: Professor Nolan (BVA), Miranda Stevenson (BIAZA), Chris Draper (Born Free
Foundation), Annette Crosbie, Maureen Purvis, Peter Scott, ZAVG), Libby Anderson (Advocates for
Animals), Chris Laurence (Dog’s Trust), John Thorley (National Sheep Association), Alan Waldron
(CAWC), Pauline Baines (Anti-Docking Alliance), Annie Dodd (British Horseracing Authority), Judith
Howell (BASC)
Introduction: The Chairman made a change to the agenda and went to item 3 first. He
introduced Alistair Currie, Senior Research and Campaign Coordinator at PETA, who was
speaking about his organisation’s progress with the MoD on ceremonial hats.
Alistair Currie – PETA (Ceremonial Hats)
The killing of Canadian black bears is a significant animal welfare issue for a number of
reasons and PETA have been working on it for 5 years now. The bears are killed in a
commercial hunt which the Government call wildlife management. They drive the bears up
trees using dogs where they are easy to shoot. They also use trapping as a method. Only 1 in
7 bears die instantly and some escape wounded, possibly dying later from blood loss or
starvation. In some Canadian provinces, there are no restrictions on the shooting of mothers
who have nursing cubs, leading to the slaughter of entire families during hunts. Bear cubs
which are orphaned consequently they die within 12 months. It takes 1 to 2 bears to produce
a single hat and this use drives the commercial killing of these bears.
Alistair set out the timeline which PETA have formed so far:
2003 – Initial contact with the MoD when the issue came to PETA’s attention.
2004/5 – PETA met the MoD to discuss the issue and put them in touch with a faux fur
manufacturer.
2005 – Faux fur samples were failed by the MoD
2006 – Second set of faux fur samples were failed by the MoD
2007 – Mod declined the proposal for another meeting with PETA
2008 Anne Widdecombe MP launched a campaign on the hats which got publicity.
2nd September 2008 – PETA met Anne Taylor, Minster for Defence Equipment and Support.
Recently, Chris Mullin, Labour MP for Sunderland South, tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM
1756) calling for the House of Commons to recognise that the bearskin caps involve
unnecessary cruelty to animals. In the EDM, Mr Mullin "invites the Government to end their
use and substitute caps made from fake fur". The EDM received the support of more than 200
MPs, including MPs from every political party
In a recent poll commissioned by PETA and conducted by independent polling company
YouGov, nearly 80 per cent of respondents said they opposed the use of taxpayer money to
kill Canadian black bears and have their skins fashioned into ceremonial caps. The MoD has
spent more than £321,000 on bearskin caps in the past five years alone and there is a cost to
the taypayer which faux fur could cut down on.
A meeting between the faux fur industry and the MoD was scheduled for 23rd October 2008.
That has been cancelled by the MoD who seem to want to avoid the faux fur solution.
Quentin Davies is now parliamentary under-secretary of state for equipment and support
and PETA will approach him for support.
Questions:
Baroness Gale was interested to know how many years the MoD had used bear fur and
whether it was felt that they saw it is an iconic symbol?
Alistair answered that they had used it since 1815 and that the MoD had stated that the use of
bear fur was important as the men had to learn how to look after their hats and groom them
and they do not feel the faux fur would be the same.
Candy King from Dolly’s Directive asked if the Mod stop using bear fur will the bear hunt
stop in Canada?
Alistair replied that 10,000 bears were killed in ‘culls’ but the cut in the market for them
would certainly reduce the amount killed.
Action:
Eric thanked Alistair for his presentation and asked political members if they were of the
view that is would be helpful to take a small delegation on behalf of APGAW to see Baroness
Taylor to press the opinion that the faux fur should be used and it should be done quickly.
Bill Wiggin MP did not want to do this as he felt it was being put across as an animal’s rights
issue rather than animal welfare.
The other political members agreed that it would be a good idea and the decision was made
that Eric and Officers of APGAW would approach Baroness Taylor.
Pedigree Dogs
Eric told the audience about the BBC documentary ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’ and how he
received a lot of mail on the topic from people and organisations expressing their concern.
He did make the point that of course the documentary showed mainly one side of the story
and so he was keen to look into it and find out what the situation really was. He understood
that the Kennel Club and Dog’s Trust have come together to call for Government support for
an independent review into the registration, breeding and showing of dogs to ensure their
long term health and welfare. However, he informed the audience that he felt there was a
need for APGAW to set up a working group looking at the present situation and if there is a
problem the way forward. The Secretary of State has expressed an interest in hearing from
APGAW. Eric opened the idea up for discussion.
Bill Wiggin MP stated that whilst he was appalled by what he saw on the documentary he
was not entirely sure what can be done about it in Parliament as it may not be something to
legislate on.
Eric replied that actually the feeling from the SoS was that there may well be consideration of
legislation, perhaps using the Animal Welfare Act.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP told the audience about his involvement in the issue through
Carol Fowler who was featured in the documentary. He believes she has been a great part of
the move to get this issue debated and deserves to be applauded. The issue now has salience
and the Kennel Club are aware they need to review their procedures. When he met the
Kennel Club a while ago they didn’t want to do anything nor did Defra. However, when he
met senior Defra personnel a couple of weeks ago he felt they were keen now to change what
is happening. The Kennel Club also realise they need to respond and one of the answers is
that they insist on health inspections before any showing.
Clarissa Baldwin from the Dog’s Trust made the point that there will be a review similar to
the Donoughue one on greyhounds and she feels APGAW should be careful not to duplicate
work.
Ken McKie stated that whilst the Group is discussing pedigree dogs in particular and those
that are registered with the Kennel Club, there are vast numbers of alleged pedigree dogs
from puppy farms which are not registered and therefore subject to no controls which suffer
from every illness and hereditary disease which is cruel We need to address this issue too as
otherwise there will be a crisis in the canine world.
Laura Vallance from the Kennel Club felt an independent review is important. The Kennel;
Club needs statutory powers given to them to ensure every breeder has a heath check on their
dog as at the moment they do not have the ability to do this.
Peter Jinman from the British Veterinary Association highlighted that the problem with
breeding is not just limited to dogs and goes across cats, goldfish, cattle. He believes there
needs to be a broader picture of breeding and an animal version of the Human Embryology
and Fertilisation Authority. He feels that we have enough laws without introducing new ones
and the existing ones can be used here. He emphasised that any work APGAW does should
not be too narrow.
Lord Soulsby agreed that it is not only dogs and there are many species being bred to the
detriment of health and welfare. He also emphasized that we shouldn’t overlook other
species when discussing this issue. He referred the audience to the CAWC report on this
subject at http://www.cawc.org.uk/reports-completed and stated CAWC would like to be
involved in the APGAW working group.
Bill Lambert from the Kennel Club said that many pure bred animals may have health issues.
The Kennel Club has been doing things for many years but they do not have any power over
breeders. The Kennel Club needs time to put their work in place. He also mentioned that the
BBC documentary was in his opinion very biased and he has made an official complaint.
Action:
Eric asked political members to show whether they were in favour of setting up a group to
look at this issue and produce a report. The members all agreed. Eric also asked for
suggestions from political and associate members of who should give evidence.
Eric closed the pedigree dog issue and moved onto Item 4 where he introduced Dr. Freda
Scott-Park, Chairman of the LINKS Group and Nicola Sharp, Secretary to the Group, to talk
about their work on this.
Freda Scott-Park (LINKS) The Link Between Animal Abuse, Child Abuse & Domestic
Violence
The Links Group is a committed multi-agency interest group that promotes the welfare and
safety of vulnerable children, animals and adults so that they are free from violence and
abuse. The term ‘non-accidental injury’ or NAI was brought into the veterinary lexicon in
2001 when 4 papers were published in Journal of Small Animal Practice (May – August 2001)
providing evidence, through 448 reported cases, that the ‘battered pet’ exists.
There is increasing research and clinical evidence that suggests that there are sometimes
inter-relationships (commonly referred to as ‘links’) between the abuse of children,
vulnerable adults and animals. A conference in November 2001, called ‘Forging the Link’
demonstrated very clearly the link between animal abuse, cruelty to children and domestic
violence.
Freda informed the audience that it became apparent that veterinary surgeons must become
an essential part of the team required to break the cycle of abuse. Those working with
vulnerable children and adults welcomed the active participation of veterinary surgeons
through the Links Group in establishing a cross-reporting mechanism, so that suspicions of
abuse, whether to animal, adult or child, could be reported to the relevant body.
What has happened since 2001?
Establishment of the Links Group
RCVS altered the Guide to Professional Conduct 1
Enhanced communication and cross reporting between human and animal health
professionals
Publication of the booklet: Understanding the Links: Information for professionals
Pet fostering services are more widespread
First successful RSPCA prosecution in NAI
First successful Scottish SPCA prosecution in NAI
Lectures on NAI delivered to Final Year veterinary students
A second conference on ‘Links’ in May 2007 was over-subscribed
The Links Group brings many agencies and individuals together: apart from the obvious
members (NSPCC, Refuge, ACPO, Safeguarding Children Boards, RSPCA etc).
Freda gave some examples of work. In Brighton and Hove Children and Young Peoples Trust
they have established the Nurture Group. This aims to provide ‘an emotionally warm and
safe environment for [troubled] children to express, learn to recognise and name their
feelings’. This is of relevance to the Links Group because children are taught to recognise the
needs of animals and transfer these skills and empathy to improve relationships with their
peers and family. Also Fiona McEwen – a veterinary surgeon with an interest in neuroscience
has just completed a placement in the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
during which she produced a short briefing document ( a POSTnote) for parliamentarians
and other policy makers, which summarises the evidence for the link between cruelty to
animals and interpersonal violence and the policy implications of this topic. This is shortly to
be published and circulated.
Freda went onto tell the audience that t has become increasingly apparent that veterinary
surgeons and veterinary nurses require clear guidelines to follow when faced with suspected
cases of abuse, when there are concerns over animal or human welfare. LINKS held a
successful seminar last week in London with the aim of garnering support for a guidance
document for the veterinary profession in practice - a protocol to follow if presented with a
suspected case of animal or human abuse. They had support from the major Associations:
through the attendance of their Presidents or their representatives including the British
Veterinary Association, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the British
Equine Veterinary Association. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons sent one of their
lawyers from the Professional Conduct department. Apologies, but offers of support, were
received from the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Nursing
Association and the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation.
The Guidance document will:
●Give an overview of child, animal and domestic abuse
●Define the types of abuse and how to recognise them
●Give an overview of our commitments under the Animal Welfare Acts
●Explain the importance of a multi-agency approach
●Give practical advice on how to establish channels of communication
From the Links collaboration with human and veterinary health professionals and those
working in animal welfare, it is evident that these problems are set to get worse – animal
abuse is on the increase in certain sectors of society, demonstrating a dislocation with the
decent values of pride, courtesy, self-confidence and civility. These are problems that need to
be tackled at the roots and LINKS are working with many organisations to address this.
Douglas Alexander from The League Against Cruel Sports also wanted to speak about the
work his organisation have done on this issue and believes that the key issue is being
concerned about why exactly people harm animals and what that can mean. It could be used
in criminal profiles and indeed lots of work has been done abroad but not so much here to tie
up cases of animal abuse and human abuse.
Douglas questioned whether people should be free to carry out abuse on animals without
restraint but at what point do we decide it becomes dangerous to humans? Douglas
highlighted the problem of professional bodies stepping out of their own boxes to look at
other issues which may tie into there area. There are problems with confidentiality that
prevent some organisations sharing information when it could be of best interest that they do.
Eric thanked both Freda and Douglas and opened up the floor to questions
Question:
Eric asked whether LINKS are suggesting that if a situation where a child is being abused
comes through social services would that mean we look at any animals and vice versa?
Nicola Sharp replied that the purpose of LINKS is that they want all professionals to be aware
that there could be a link and just to think about it when cases arise.
Eric asked whether there should be some sort of link between vets and social services then?
Freda responded by saying that where animals are being abused, people are at risk, and
where people are being abused, animals are at risk. It’s about making sure people are aware
of this potential link.
Nicola also added that in domestic homocide reviews all the agencies come together to
discuss the victim and it is found from research that there are risk factors that have arisen
between the agencies but have not been shared. In the U.S they look at these risk factors so if
a woman is attacked they then look at the children and animals for indications of abuse. It is
all about building a bigger picture to protect victims before it is too far down the link whether
it be child, woman or animal.
David Drew MP stated that when he has been out with the RSPCA he has found cases where
animals are seriously overcrowded and there are lots of children. Often it is not so much
abuse, more neglect or ignorance. People are not going out of their way to harm the animal
and therefore wouldn’t harm children, they just need to learn about how to look after them
properly. He then asked whether any links were being formed with other countries to see
how they have progressed the matter. David referred to the Doris Day Agency who have
done a report showing that many people who harmed animals did progress to harming
people.
Freda informed him that LINKS have strong links with the U.S, mainly the American
Humane Society but it is not always possible to use their research here. However, they do try
to learn from what they have done.
Bill Wiggin MP wanted to know how they would work back from round tables on homocides
to stop it before it happened. He questioned whether there was contact with relevant
organisations like ChildLine as how else would it be possible to practically deliver joined up
thinking?
Nicola replied that they work with the NSPCC and they go very much down to local levels to
try to put in place a model where people involved in Safeguarding and Domestic Violence
Groups can share links to give that holistic approach..
Douglas Alexander stated that in the U.S nursing practioners going into assess situations and
make a decision on what they see. They know whether it is their job to intervene or if not
where to go.
Claire Harper from the Mayhew Animal Trust told us she is part of LINKS and as a frontline
worker does community visits. She goes into homes and sees issues of cruelty and neglect.
LINKS has been very useful to her and she now works with the local Safeguarding Board
which means she is more able to assess situations and then refer them if necessary.
Matt Collis from IFAW told the audience that he worked in legislation on setting up
Safeguarding Children Boards and found them very receptive to helping and training for
joined up working. He stated that being pre-emptive is important and politicians need to
make the Boards aware of the importance of animal welfare so they make it a part of what
they do and realise they all need to work with the welfare organisations.
Nicola replied that LINKS lobbies the Depatrment for Children, Schools and Families to
encourage a national steer on it.
Freda concluded the discussion by stating that they do need help developing LINKS. The
multi-agency risk assessment conference MARAC produced a fantastic document but there
was not one mention of looking at animals. The links are not working each way and we need
to carry on pushing this as it can make a difference.
Eric thanked the speakers and audience for attending. The AGM will be on the ? December at
1800.