Rescued, another victim of the cruel pet trade
UNTIL we achieve total reform of the present Animal Act, headlines such as ‘Pygmy Hedgehog Craze’ about the latest pet fashion will continue to cause more despair for animal charities and sanctuaries (Mail). As the owner of a small sanctuary in Sussex, the thought of anyone rushing out to buy any animal appals me. Owning an animal is a huge responsibility and should be thought about very carefully. Unfortunately, it appears that many pets are bought on a whim or because, like pygmy hedgehogs, they are the latest craze. I believe new legislation is the only way we can begin to change this situation. We need to put a stop to unscrupulous people breeding animals purely for profit with total disregard for their welfare. Mango, the little pony we recently acquired, is deformed due to irresponsible breeding, and also arrived here with the tips of her ears missing. Happily, she has made a good recovery and has many pony friends here. The sad reality is that while there are gullible people willing to hand over hundreds of pounds for poorly bred and possibly very sick animals, the trade and cruelty this involves will continue.
MoirA Foot, itchingfield, W. sussex. CHIHUAHUAS aren’t naughty by nature (Mail), but their small size means people often forget they should be treated like dogs. Carrying them around like a fashion accessories means they can’t engage in normal dog behaviour and become bored or frustrated — resulting in destructive tendencies. Before you get a dog based on its looks, be sure you can give it the life it deserves — with exercise and mental stimulation regardless of its size — and you’ll have a well-adjusted pet that won’t wreak havoc in your home.
rYAN NEilE, Blue Cross pet charity, Burford, oxon.