At the end of their tether!

Goat welfare NZ

Many in New Zealand will have seen the sight of a lone goat chained on a roadside verge on their travels . Given the job of "lawnmower" these gregarious, highly social, intelligent animals endure a miserable existence denied their most basic of instincts.

New Zealand's woefully inadequate animal welfare act fails these animals as it does many other speices. There is NO regulation limiting tethering nor is there for allowing this animal the joy of company . A code of welfare for goats developed in 2012, is merely a "best practice" guide and although NAWAC (the government body tasked with developing animal codes of welfare) admits goats should not be tethered, particularly on roadsides, this kiwi practice continues .

There are many horror stories of the vulnerable, lone roadside goat being the victim of attacks by dogs and people. There have been publicised cases of roadside goats beng stabbed or dragged behind cars. The cases of neglect are numerous .

A petition is currently circulating to address this practice demanding the tethering of goats on roadsides be prohibited and any tethering to be restricted. It also seeks an enforceable code of welfare be developed to ensure a higher standard of welfare . One comment from a petition signer sums it up by saying , Classic neglect!

The petition can be viewed here,

http://www.change.org/p/new-zealand-house-of-representatives-prohibit-the-tethering-of-goats-on-roadsides-and-elsewhere

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