Decision details

Cllr Craze presented the report of the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 17 January 2023, and moved the adoption of the recommendations.  Cllr Penman seconded the motion.

The report sought the adoption of a number of measures having considered the following motion referred to it by the Council:-

“This Council:-

·        Is concerned about the number of cases reported to the RSPCA each year, regarding pets being given as prizes via fairgrounds, social media and other channels in England - and notes the issue predominantly concerns goldfish.

·        Is concerned for the welfare of those animals that are being given as prizes.

·        Recognises that many cases of pets being given as prizes may go unreported each year.

·        Supports a move to ban the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

The Council agrees to:

·        Ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

·        Write to the UK Government, urging an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.”

The Panel’s recommended course of action was as follows:-

·        That the Council’s Estates and Open Spaces Service be asked to include conditions precluding the giving of pets as prizes in agreements prior to giving consent to use of its land.

·        That a letter be sent to all Parish and Town Councils in the New Forest district, urging them to adopt the same approach in imposing conditions on use of their land precluding the giving of pets as prizes.

·        That a letter be sent on behalf of the Council to the Government urging an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.

One Member welcomed the motion and actions proposed by the Panel.  He encouraged Members to consider dealing with motions of this nature at the initial meeting they are proposed, where there is wide support for the content of such motions.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the recommendations be adopted.