Daily Mail - 26th of April Guinea Pig Article

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Hi all, I was just reading through the paper, and found this article, thought it might be interesting - I've just copied the related bits:

Children have been ordered to stop cuddling their guinea pigs in one country's drive to protect the 'needs' of animals. The Swiss parliament has approved laws that ban anglers from hurtng fish, and prevent fans of budgies, horses and other sociable creatures from keeping just one - in case they get lonely. The rules dictate that all owners, from those who have one pet to farmers, must complete training in the practice and theory of dealing with animals...The controversial legislation bans the keeping of single guinea pigs...as exposing them to solitude would equal 'animal abuse'. On the subject of guinea pigs, the government says: 'Guinea pigs are very sensitive social animals. They are interesting to look at, but not at all appropriate to be cuddled or carried around by children'. Critics have condemned the move as a waste of taxpayers' and animal owners' money...

Very controversial. I think I agree with the 'completing training on the practice and theory of dealing with animals' - it certainly would make people think twice about owning an animal. Not sure about I agree with the ban on children cuddling them, as long as they are shown a proper way and taught the signs of when piggie is not happy and an adult is there, I don't see a problem.

Any thoughts?

Vicky xx
 
It was in the Times as well.

It depends on the kids - a lot are really not capable of looking after animals and don't understand the anatomy (like a guinea must be supported underneath).
 
Mine don't hold the pigs although Emily has picked Amber up before now! She was careful with her but I told her not to and wait for me. I pick the pigs up and place them on the girls knee with a big tweenies pillow and watch carefully.

Think this law is a bit daft really, while the rest of the world are fighting terrorism and extremism it just seems to be a bit of a waste of time! ::) I can't see how the law will work?
 
I agree with the fact more education is needed and it should be made a lot harder for animals to be bought. I dont agree with banning children from holding any animal not just piggies. Children need to be taught how to look after and treat animals. If this is taught at a young age, children should respect this and then have respect for animals. I taught my daughter from 11 months (thats when she was walking) not to pull on the dogs when seen. She now knows that she can cuddle our piggies if i pick them up and place them on her knee and i never leave her side. She know how to be with all household pets and we take her to a local animal farm as much as we can so she knows how to treat larger animals. It annoys me that because some kids mis-treat animals often through fault of the parents/carers all kids need to suffer. xx
 
I agree with banning keeping single animals BUT how how they going to enforce it and what happens with those animals that won't accept another animal?

What then? Are they going to be put down?
 
I think it depends on the child. If you educate him or her to hold animals probably and respect them then they will take great care in handleing them. Also they should have a parent or a responsilble person [like me! ;D] there incase things go wrong. But I don't think there should be a law to stop children handleing them. That's a bit strict and cruel.
 
I don't think the problem is how children are holding them, it's that owners aren't keeping their animals in the correct and humane way, which these laws will hopefully change. I don't know how they'd enforce it though ::)
 
i think the law is not only silly but is going to be jolly hard to enforce. i know when we had dogs, it cost the council alot of money to do a door knock to make sure if any dogs they were registered. as for kids holding pets, i think that should be the parents respondsibilty(sp) and not the law. i remember when i was about about 14 my 2nd cousin was given a rabbit for xmas, well he loved this rabbit and carried the poor thing everywhere. as you know we in oz spend xmas in summer so the poor bunny died of heat stress. this was NOT the childs fault it was his parents! (a) the boy was only 4 and (b) the parents should have made him put the rabbit down and only cuddle the bunny when it was cool and under supervision.
so are they going to be watching every house with kids and pets and make sure the kids don't cuddle the pets? as for the fishing of fish isn't fishing of fish cruel to the fish? i mean being hooked brought out of the water and struggling for breath it is barbaric which is why i hate seafood.
i think the money would be better spent in training and education on kids and animals in schools, have rspca people, rescue people coming in to talk to the kids, take kids on trips to the zoo, animal farms etc. if kids are educated on how to treat and love these beautiful creatures then as adults they will know how to treat our furry friends.
that is my 20 cents worth anyway. :smitten: also think cruelty to animals should have bigger fines and perhaps jail too. we watch rspca rescue here in oz and peoiple on the show can mistreat animals, have too many and so forth and the higest fine i have seen is $1,000.00 about 500 pounds. this money could be used to educate our children who are our future with our furry friends. :smitten:
 
My 2 are not allowed to pick up the pigs at all, they are allowed to cuddle them but only if Rich or I are sitting next to them, but to be honest they really like to watch the pigs running and poocorning in the run or shed,

I also think this is going to be a hard law to enforce but i do like the idea of the education, side of things and the fact they are being the animals voice so to speak
 
I have a (neutered) boy who lived with his (also neutered) son for 4 or 5 months, but the relationship worsened until he was literally fighting with his son. He is a piggie who much prefers to live on his own, but his cage is alongside (2 inches away) the other cage where he can see and talk to and smell the others, yet he's a happy, well adjusted boy now. Would I be fined for that even though I am doing what is right for my piggies. I agree that normally they much prefer to live with others, but I suppose there are exceptions to all the usual "rules".
 
I saw this artice too and couldn't believe it! If it had been April the 1st it would have been more believable! ?

My kids are not allowed to pick up the piggies and can only have them on their laps - how are kids supposed to learn though if they are not allowed to handle animals? :(

I wondered how they were going to get on with all the loose animals - after the article stated that horses, goats and sheep were not allowed to be tied up at all... Have they ever tried brush an untethered horse... ;D
 
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