Meeting of the Parliament 15 May 2014
After all the hubris of a few minutes ago, I am delighted to say that the debate will—I hope—be consensual and friendly across the chamber. There will be no biting, clawing or scratching.
I thank all the members who have signed my motion, stayed for the debate, visited the displays in Parliament this week to celebrate animals, and signed the pledge in support of Scotland’s animals. I particularly thank those who sent in photos, including our magnificent Jackie Baillie and Smudge, and Paul Martin, who has a lovely, cuddly white dog, which was not at all what I expected. The line that owners look like their dugs or that dugs look like their owners does not always pertain.
I thank all the members of the cross-party group on animal welfare, some of whom are in the gallery—they are just managing to get in. Last but not least, I mention the working dogs that are joining us in the gallery. Sometimes, I speak to one man and his dug. Today, I might, with others, speak to four dugs. Indeed, I have it on the authority of the other Deputy Presiding Officer, Mr Scott, that Mr Q is my number 1 fan and stands to attention when I speak. That could be misread, but I am taking it as respect.
My motion is first and foremost a recognition that all animals are sentient beings. We are just a wee bit higher up the evolutionary scale than them; sometimes, we even act as though we are. Over the years, we have tamed animals, brought them to our fire for companionship and as guardians, and eaten and abused them. We can still do all three.
Those of us who have pets know that our commitment reaches way beyond the notion of a cuddly puppy or cute kitten. For me, the bird should not be caged, and the rabbit needs a life beyond a hutch. When we acquire or buy a pet, we must do so with informed responsibility and commitment at the forefront of our minds. A pet should be bought not just because it is doe-eyed and cutesy, but for the right reasons and by the right person, who will give it the right environment. It should not be a status symbol or a frivolous buy.
We must accept that we cannot just swan off on holiday for the weekend, as we have to make provision for the care of our companion. There are inevitably vet bills—ching, ching—that run into hundreds of pounds, or insurance costs. A dog needs and will appreciate proper training and exercise, and a cat flap—it is practical for me, although not for my own use, of course—is mandatory.
I cannot have a dog because of my lifestyle, so I have had a sequence of cats: life in the wild of the garden, with the battle scars from territorial scraps with the black feline next door, and the odd pile of bird and mouse remains on the rug. Does Ms Baillie recognise that?