Public backing for tougher laws to boost animal welfare standards

More than 80% of Scots are in favour of stronger animal welfare regulations, a new survey has revealed.

A Yougov poll showed that 84% of Scots would support strengthening the regulation and enforcement of welfare standards in the pet trade, including breeders and online sales.

It comes as the Scottish SPCA has reported an increase in illegal puppy sales and trading during the pandemic.

A new campaign, More for Scotland’s Animals (MFSA), has been launched by a coalition of 10 of the UK’S top animal welfare organisations including Cats Protection and the Dogs Trust.

The campaign is calling on candidates for the upcoming Holyrood election to pledge support for stronger regulations if elected to the Scottish Parliament in May.

Bob Elliot, director of

Onekind – a charity aimed at ending cruelty towards animals, said: “What is clear from the results of the poll is that the Scottish public expect the incoming Scottish Parliament to prioritise animal welfare in the next session.

“Voters will be considering companion, wild and farmed animal welfare when they take to the ballot box this spring.

“We are delighted to be co-ordinating the MFSA campaign group to encourage MSPS to pledge to do more for Scotland’s animals.

“Animals play a key role in society, and the public care deeply about how they are treated, whether they are farmed, wild or companion animals.

“In the upcoming months we will be encouraging candidate MSPS to take part in a series of actions to pledge their commitment to animal welfare.

The poll also shows that 76% of Scots want to see a ban on the use of snares and 67% support a ban on the use of farrowing crates for sows. The crates house pigs prior to them giving birth and for up to four weeks after, which are so small that they cannot turn around.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government takes animal welfare and wildlife crime very seriously and is committed to ensuring the highest standards in Scotland.

“That is why we have taken a range of actions over this parliament, from banning wild animals in travelling circuses through to the recent Animals and Wildlife Act, which increases the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife crimes, and offers more protection to animals, including service animals and mountain hares.”