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Motion · S6M-08523 · 6 Apr 2023

Scottish SPCA: Understanding Animal Abuse in the Context of Children and Young People

Lodged by Christine Grahame Standard Motion 18 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises the Scottish SPCA for what it sees as its pioneering research, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, which has established a worrying trend, indicating that young people who are more exposed to animal abuse are five times more likely to require support; notes that the Scottish SPCA research has identified that children and young people may harm animals for a variety of reasons, and states that, as a society, Scotland needs to recognise the early indicators and provide the crucial support that is required; understands that, together with the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish SPCA has published a book to educate the public and support professionals working with young people to know where to turn to if they encounter a young person who has abused an animal; notes that the Scottish SPCA has an established programme called "Animal Guardians", which tackles both intentional and unintentional abuse by working with young people who have displayed concerning behaviours towards animals, and further notes that the Scottish SPCA is renewing its calls for the Scottish Government to consider including animal welfare as a mandatory element in Scotland’s national education curriculum, to teach young people empathy and kindness towards animals from an early and formative age, which, it believes, in turn can also benefit how they interact with the humans in their lives.

Supporters (18)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.