Equal Rights For All Paws

A small town in Spain, Trigueros del Valle, has intorduced a bill to recognize animals as “non-human residents”, thus granting the four-legged companions equal rights as citizens.
Pets Team 28 July 2015

Town mayor Pedro J. Pérez Espinosa introduced this bill, named the Renedo Declaration to the town’s council, who later voted unanimously for its approval.

As Espinosa states, “Dogs and cats have been living among us for over a thousand years, and the mayor must represent not just the human residents but must also be here for the others.”

Comprising of 13 clauses, the Renedo Declaration states that “all residents are equal and have the same rights, and any resident, whether human or not, is entitled to respect.” 

The clause prohibits any form of exploitation, cruelty and abandonment to animals, including the infamous bull-fighting, or any acts that may cause injury or death to a non-human.

While this is a town of only about 300 residents, this is a good move forward for animal rights worldwide, and we can only hope this encourages more to follow in Trigueros del Valles’ footsteps.

 

(Images and sources: Huffington Post UK, Telegraph, The Independent.)