Petition · past parliament
Recognise, in UK law statutes, that animals are sentient beings.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
On Wednesday 15th November 2017, UK MPs voted not to include animal sentience in the EU Withdrawal Bill. The current EU legislation, under Article 13 of the EU Lisbon Treaty*, states that animals are sentient beings. We want the UK to recognise animal sentience in the legal statues and framework.
Animals are able to feel pain and emotions, it has been scientifically proven. Therefore, the fact that MPs have taken this backward step to deny this, is baffling.
It is also very dangerous. By denying animals rights and recognition of sentience, also means a whole raft of animal abuse and neglect cases could go untried in court, or carry very few penalties for perpetrators. This cannot be allowed.
We urge you to please sign this petition to enforce a debate in parliament for animals.
It is also very dangerous. By denying animals rights and recognition of sentience, also means a whole raft of animal abuse and neglect cases could go untried in court, or carry very few penalties for perpetrators. This cannot be allowed.
We urge you to please sign this petition to enforce a debate in parliament for animals.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 18 Nov 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 23 Nov 2017 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
23 Nov 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.