About us
In all civilized countries, legal protection is afforded to companion animals. Society is based upon this concept of 'sentience'. European agreements are based upon this concept. Article 13 of the 'Treaty of Lisbon' identifies animals as 'sentient beings'. The European Council's 'Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals' lays down the foundations of treatment of companion animals and is ratified by most of the EU Member countries. Included among these, is the country of Romania, which whilst having animal protection legislation which complies with international agreements and EU principles, the reality is somewhat different.
Because no national humane animal control policy has ever been introduced, numbers of animals living on the streets have grown exponentially. An estimated 3 million homeless animals roam the streets of Romania. Regarded as verminous, they are subjected to abuse and aggression, very quickly learning aggression from their aggressors. In turn, the availability of so many animals as aggression victims, has been identified as potentially increasing inter-human aggression levels. Animal protection laws are NOT enforced. Police dismiss reports as irrelevant. 'It's only an animal'. Peer pressure discourages reports and witness testimony for abuse. No one will listen. Society regards this as unimportant.
Its importance is stressed through the effect abuse has, not only on the animals, not only on the children who see sometimes grotesque aggression, not only on a community which is recipient of practiced aggression, but for any country which allows selectivity of which national laws are enacted.
Romanian Lawyers for Animals will provide a dedicated 24/7 Helpline number which will receive calls reporting animal abuse. Medical and legal advice will be available.
Two criteria are required to invite the possibility of initiating prosecutions:
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suitable evidence of the abuse
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and willing witness testimony
Very importantly, no reports can be accepted without these! The Helpline is a facility to serve the animals and people of Romania. Concerns from people outside Romania should be expressed through email sent to lawyersforanimals@lawyer.com
It is anticipated that legal challenges under the existing animal welfare laws will be introduced throughout the country. By achieving prosecutions for animal abuse, the status of the animals is raised, thereby reducing aggression. Reduction of aggression against animals is anticipated to reduce inter-human aggression levels.
Reports will be created about each case, including identification of any authority which inhibits due process of law. These reports will be made available to appropriate international organisations including the EU (European Union) and OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health).
Romania Lawyers for Animals offers the possibility of ensuring that redundant animal protection laws are invoked and enacted for the first time and thereby raises the possibility of changing the face of a country.
'Lawyers for Animals' is a subsidiary of the 'Making the Link' Study Project Ltd.
Charitable Company Registration No: 8639535 (UK)
CONTACT:
Malcolm Plant (Director and Legal Advisor)
We are delighted to announce that we have the might of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) supporting this initiative.
Reports will be created about each case, including reference to any authority presenting intransigence or indifference to enacting due process of law. WSPA's consultative status at the Council of Europe and collaboration with national governments, the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health, provides opportunity to report on Romania's nil enactment of national animal welfare laws and therefore non-compliance with the Council of Europe's Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals which Romania has ratified, as well as their non-compliance with the European Parliament's Written Declaration 0026/2011on Dog Population Management in the European Union.
Given the vast body of research identifying the connection between animal abuse and inter-human abuse and violence, this innovation is deemed critical to provide supported parameters which can ultimately reduce animal abuse and associated inter-human aggression and violence within society.
'Lawyers for Animals' provides the basic tenets upon which a humane society is built, 'Hands of the Strong Protecting the Weak'. Upon this premise is a cohesive, compassionate society founded and we are delighted to have the power of WSPA beside us as we seek to walk together towards achieving these ideals and inviting an new and profound change.
Tonight the skies over Romania are darkening! The wind is shifting! There's a hurricane coming in! Not now the cold winds of destruction, but a mighty force bringing the warm winds of compassion and justice to be felt by all those in need!
For Romanian, please click here!
