My daughter recently took part in a poultry show with her beloved rooster, with hopes as high as her love for her feathered friend. Tragically, she did not secure a win due to our decision to not engage in a widespread and brutal practice known as "dubbing".

Dubbing, for those unfamiliar, is the procedure of removing the comb, earlobes, and wattles of poultry, particularly roosters, largely for cosmetic purposes. This practice is not only painful and stressful for these sensitive creatures but also robs them of essential body parts for their daily functioning, including temperature regulation.

Australia, known for its robust animal rights records, is yet to join countries like Sweden, Germany, and Denmark where dubbing is prohibited unless there is a significant welfare or safety reason. We need to extend this considerate and humane practice to our shores.

It's vital that we push the Department of Agriculture to ban this practice and urge poultry shows across the country to revise their criteria, focusing on the well-being of the animal at the heart of the show rather than an outdated and brutal tradition.

Let's play our part in making Australia a place where animal welfare is not only spoken about but acted upon actively. Back this petition to limit gratuitous harm from conventions like dubbing. Your support could narrate a different tale for other young enthusiasts like my daughter and their treasured roosters.