Stop Future Neglect and Cruelty at Camperdown Wildlife Centre, Dundee

Following the recent horrific attack against defenceless animals in Camperdown Zoo, Dundee, we have decided to create this petition to force Dundee City Council and the Scottish Executive to ensure that these events are not repeated, and that those who commit such cowardly, vicious, and sickening acts are given punishments that actually reflect their crimes.

Our two main objectives are:
1 Proper security which actually protects the animals in the care of Camperdown Wildlife Centre, not the shambles which left twenty-five animals traumatised, and others dead. What is even more shocking is the fact that this is not the first time that Camperdowns so-called security has been breached. On at least two previous occasions, intruders have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to Camperdown, though thankfully no animals appeared to have been injured. These warnings seem to have meant nothing to Camperdown or the Police, as this latest attack shows that security had not been improved. Why did it have to come to this? Why did it take the brutal attack of a number of animals to make the authorities realise how weakly the animals are protected? To us, it appears that security is only being now being tightened due to public outrage, rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the animals. This can clearly been seen, as no action was taken after previous incidents.

2 Tougher sentences for people who commit these senseless and cruel acts on animals. Any forms of cruelty or violence towards animals should be treated in the same manner as the same act carried out on a human. This point should not be necessary; the law should already reflect this. All attacks against animals are cowardly. Most abused animals are unable to defend themselves, and are in fact as helpless as a small child. Current government legislation would not dictate that anyone found guilty of these senseless attacks would definitely face imprisonment, it is only a possibility. Is this what you call justice? This can only be changed if the Scottish Executive toughened up the laws against animal cruelty, and they will only do this if you speak out on the animals behalf.


Below are links that report the incident in more detail. Please sign this petition to ensure that incidents like these never get the chance to happen again. Obviously you cannot stop human cruelty, but with compassion and intelligence we can protect the animals that we have in our care, and punish those individuals who harm them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6265346.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6679921.stm