Petition · past parliament

I request that you put the question of sentience to the people via referendum.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The recent Commons vote on the question of the 'sentience' of animals Baffles me. It is plain that Animals have feelings. The result of the vote was based on Religion and Money, rather than logic or compassion. Ask the people their opinion.
I believe that the question of Religious Slaughter was behind this vote and doubt the sincerity of the decision in this case. Are we to assume that if an animal is not sentient that a person can no longer be prosecuted for animal cruelty. It would be hard to be cruel to an animal If it had no natural feelings.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

Timeline

22 Nov 2017 Petition opened for signatures
22 Jan 2018 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 22 Jan 2018

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.