More needs to be done across Scotland and the UK to protect dogs and cats from abuse, neglect and suffering.  Dogs remain the most commonly reported animals in cruelty cases with organisations such as the SPCA and RSPCA receiving thousands of reports of welfare concerns each year and cats are also vulnerable to neglect, abandonment, and untreated illness but their suffering often goes unnoticed due to their independent nature. Figures show that more needs to be done to prevent animals from ending up in unsafe situations in the first place. 

Every year, animals continue to be harmed despite the current existing animal welfare laws. Scotland already has legislation in place that is designed to protect animals, such as The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which places a legal duty on owners to meet their animals' basic welfare needs. However, the current system is largely reactive and action is often only taken after an animal has already suffered.

At present, there is no general requirement for someone to pass a suitability check before owning a dog or a cat. While the majority of people provide safe and nurturing homes, there are existing cases where animals are obtained by people who are unable or simply unwilling to care for them responsibly. 

My research on animal welfare has highlighted concerns about preventing repeat offences and improving information sharing between authorities when someone has been convicted of animal cruelty or issued with any restriction on owning an animal. I believe Scotland and the UK need to consider stronger preventative measures such as a pet ownership licence, basic animal welfare education before obtaining any pet, background checks for people with previous animal cruelty offences and a national register that helps prevent banned individuals from acquiring animals. 

These measures would not punish those who are responsible pet owners; they would simply help ensure that anyone who opts to take on the responsibility of owning an animal understands the commitment that is involved and that more is done to prevent animals being placed in unsafe situations. 

Dogs and cats are defenceless beings who rely entirely on humans for their care, safety and wellbeing. They too deserve protection from cruelty and neglect and we need to be doing more to prevent suffering before it happens. 

I decided to start this petition after witnessing an individual physically abusing his dog in public. What I saw was reported and I am also writing to my local MSP and MP to raise my concerns. Seeing an innocent animal being treated this way made me question how someone was so capable of such behaviour was able to own a dog in the first place and this experience has motivated me to call for stronger safeguards that help protect animals across Scotland and the UK.