Target: Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President
Goal: Implement a comprehensive ban on breeding animals with extreme conformational traits to prevent suffering caused by aesthetic selection.
The suffering inflicted on dogs and cats due to the selection of exaggerated features is both alarming and preventable. Animals with flat faces, bulging eyes, or twisted limbs often face debilitating pain and struggle to breathe from their very first moments of life. These extreme physical traits lead to severe health problems that greatly diminish their quality of life, raising significant ethical concerns about the practices that prioritize appearance over well-being.
Reports indicate that these breeding practices not only subject animals to considerable suffering but also reflect a critical failure in welfare standards that should protect them. The animals are often condemned to a lifetime of medical issues, requiring ongoing veterinary care that many owners may not be able to provide. The situation calls for an urgent response; harmonizing regulations across the EU and instituting a ban on producing animals with conformational traits that compromise health is essential to prevent further suffering. The proposed changes should include banning exhibitions, competitions, and marketing of such animals, as these practices continue to glamorize and perpetuate the breeding of animal suffering.
A comprehensive, coordinated approach is crucial for addressing this ethical dilemma at a systemic level. Implementing these changes is necessary to safeguard the welfare of animals who are exploited for their appearance in the name of aesthetics. The time has come to end this inhumane practice and protect animals from unnecessary suffering by enacting strong regulations.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President von der Leyen,
The distressing reality behind the breeding of animals for extreme physical traits cannot be overlooked any longer. Numerous reports highlight the torment endured by dogs and cats selected for features like flat faces and bulging eyes, which often lead to chronic health challenges and severe quality-of-life issues. This ongoing suffering must prompt immediate action to safeguard animal welfare across the European Union.
The current lack of harmonized regulations allows for significant disparities in how animals are treated. With many animals enduring health complications and suffering as a result of their exaggerated conformational traits, it is imperative to ban the breeding of such animals when their anatomy poses a direct risk to their health and welfare. In addition, prohibiting participation in exhibitions or competitions that promote these traits, along with banning marketing of such animals, will help to dismantle the culture that prioritizes appearance over the well-being of these sentient beings.
It is crucial for the European Commission to take a stand against these inhumane practices and implement comprehensive regulations that protect the welfare of animals. A ban on breeding animals with extreme conformational traits is not just a policy choice; it is a moral imperative. Together, we can ensure that the suffering of animals is no longer ignored.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
