Cat rights campaign group calls for less "apathy" in animal cruelty cases

Monday 01 January 2018

Authorities should be less apathetic in cases of animal cruelty, a local campaign group have said.

Equal Rights for Cats - a group launched in a bid to change the law on hit-and-run cases involving cats - say they'll be extending their focus beyond cats this year.

Launched in 2014 by Sandra Jasmins (pictured above, right) after her cat, Binky, was left to die on the side of the road by a car who had hit her in front of her house, the group's Facebook page now has over 1,300 members. On top of their campaigning efforts, the members also frequently walk the island's roads looking for missing cats.

They shared their hopes and plans for 2018 with Express... 

"It is true that the ‘hit and run’ campaign for cats has made progress, but we are a still a long way from our goal of making it compulsory for drivers to report such an accident. Unfortunately, the recent inclusion of a clause in the Jersey Highway Code to reduce suffering by asking motorists to make just one important phone-call is not legally enforceable.

"The campaign is not about blaming drivers for an unpredictable event such as a cat running out, but asking them to take a minute to report the incident. Cat owners who have lost their pet this way are comforted to know that someone did their best to call for help and potentially save their cat’s life.

Pictured: 'Equal Rights for Cats' campaigners on a search-party for a runaway kitty.

"There is also huge concern over cases of cruelty and neglect and the perceived apathy of the Authorities to rigorously pursue reported cases to prosecution, the recent kicking of a cat to death being a case in point.

"When was someone in Jersey last prosecuted for cruelty or neglect to any animal? Yet, there are reports of many cases or animal neglect and cruelty.

"Equal Rights for Cats and its supporters will continue to press for further change, canvassing politicians and the Authorities, relying on the abundant compassion and determination of the people of Jersey to help get more done to reduce the suffering of cats, and indeed, any animal."