Current deadline for entry into force of stray animal slaughter ban is what best safeguards animal welfare, says João Ponte
The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry considers that the current five-year period for the entry into force of the stray animal and pet slaughter ban "is necessary and arises from the fact that authorities lack time to improve the current shelter capacity in full compliance with animal welfare."
João Ponte spoke to reporters Ponta Delgada after being heard by the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly under a Resolution Proposal submitted by "Bloco de Esquerda" - BE (Left Block) on this matter.
The Regional Secretary stated that "it would be desirable if the stray animal and pet slaughter ban entered into force sooner in the Region. However, regional municipalities still lack the conditions to maintain all stray animals in good shelter conditions in the short-term.
According to João Ponte, "the amendments proposed by BE to anticipate will not lead to a breakthrough in the welfare of stray animals, but will result in the overcrowding of the current Official Collection Centres. It would jeopardise the well-being of the animals already sheltered and create logistical problems to the municipalities that do not have Official Collection Centres.
"If municipalities fulfil the conditions for the earlier entry into force of the legislation, the Government will not object. However, the information we have is that in most municipalities the necessary conditions have not been created, particularly with the construction of the Official Collection Centre. "
After less than a year on the publication of the Regional Legislative Decree no.12/2016/A, July 8 - Control Measures of the population of pet or stray animals - the Regional Secretary concludes that "there is no justification to introduce an amendment to this legal document as the circumstances in which it was approved have not changed."
The problem of stray animals has been followed with concern and interest by the Government, not only for public reasons related to health, safety and welfare of people and other animals, but also for safeguarding the welfare of stray animals .
In this regard, the Government has developed various strategies to combat this problem by conducting awareness campaigns, informing the community that everyone should be against abandonment and mistreatment of animals and alerting for legal obligations, through the main dissemination channels such as Municipal Authorities, Village Councils, Kindergartens and Schools.
On the other hand, the Government has raised the awareness of the Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores with the provision of information on Official Collection Centre regarding the new legislation and their obligations.