I'm with Winston - are you?
Winston Churchill is remembered for many things. He is regarded as a gifted politician, an inspiring speaker and a talented author; as a great war hero, respected statesman and by many, he is considered to be the greatest leader in British history. However, you might not be aware that Sir Winston was an avid animal lover. He was particularly fond of pigs and once said:
"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
Many animal lovers will be inclined to agree with Winston, but in farms across Europe, millions of pigs are suffering unnecessarily. Welfare standards are grossly inadequate and pigs are severely frustrated, overcrowded and even subjected to mutilation.
Intelligent, charming and above all innocent, pigs deserve to be treated with respect. The RSPCA want conditions improved and in a new mail campaign launched last week, they ask supporters to sign a petition to the President of the European Commission and to make a donation to the RSPCA. The petition calls for the following changes to pig welfare legislation:
• Pigs must be given enough space so they can move freely and naturally
• Millions of piglets undergo painful mutilations including teeth clipping, tail docking and castration without anaesthetic. Pigs should only be subjected to these procedures if there is a welfare-related reason
• Pigs must not be kept in enclosures with inappropriate flooring and no bedding material. They should be given straw to root in so they can behave according to their natural instincts.
We are sure Winston Churchill would firmly agree with this common sense approach to animal welfare. Pigs are fascinating creatures that deserve to be treated better. I hope RSPCA supporters all raise their hams in agreement and respond to this campaign. Stand by for some great results!
Paul Bailey
