Legal highs a new low for animals

We are a nation of animal lovers we are often told. Indeed, New Zealand has one of the highest levels of pet ownership in the world.

Only the other week on the TV news were classes on how to give your dog the "kiss of life" (Wanganui fireman Gary Wilson should have been taking that after his dramatic rescue of a 16-week-old puppy back in May).

Yet the testing of new products - like cosmetics - is allowed on animals in this country with, apparently, little monitoring and weak regulation.

Companies are not required to provide information on tests they conduct, and so the inevitably cruel treatment is conveniently hidden from both the public view and official gaze.

Particularly disturbing is the decision to allow the testing of recreational drugs - the so-called "legal highs" - on animals with the recent passing of the Psychoactive Substances Bill.

An amendment that would have ruled out the use of data from animal testing for party pills was sadly defeated.

These drugs have already caused serious damage to the health of many, and now animals will have to suffer so the drug dealers can make their fortunes.

The agricultural industry is already in the gun over some treatment of livestock. At least in that area, public pressure is making some ethical progress.

Animal rights have largely been trampled on in the pursuit of human gain. We see this all over the world, with natural habitats being destroyed for "economic benefits" as the arrogance and superiority of humankind holds sway.

New Zealand's Animal Welfare Act is under review, providing a last chance to at least get the "legal highs" decision overturned. There will be co-ordinated nationwide action on Tuesday, July 30. Let's hope it spurs some action in the corridors of power.