The Private Members Bill dubbed ‘Finns Law’ was inspired by the savage knife attack on Police Dog Finn
Thursday 16th June | by Cop(ex) | Follow us on Twitter @ES_Humour |
The proposed bill WAS designed to provide extra protection to service animals like police dogs and horses BUT has been BLOCKED by a long-serving Tory MP.
Yesterday, we reported on the Bill that was to be heard in Parliament and that was supposed to eventually ensure that service animals were given official recognition in the eyes of the law.
The so-called ‘Finns Law’ was inspired by brave Police Dog ‘Finn’ who was savagely attacked with a knife by a fleeing robbery suspect.
During the attack, Finns handler was also stabbed in the hand.
The Private Members Bill bill WAS designed to provide extra protection to service animals like police dog Finn but was stopped in its tracks by Sir Cristopher Chope.
Finns Law aims to add extra legal protection to service animals by removing the current proviso of ‘self-defence’ that is often used by criminals in order to justify their attacks on service animals.
But Sir Christopher Chope announced that he OBJECTED to the bill and was met by groans from fellow MPs in the House of Commons.
The Metro reports that current rules in parliament mean that it only requires just one MP to shout ‘object’ in order for a law’s progress to become blocked.
The law was tabled by Conservative MP Sir Oliver Heald, who said the bill would have progressed towards being a law had Chope had not objected.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said it was ‘entirely supportive of Sir Oliver Heald in his efforts to get the bill passed and looks forward to the next opportunity the Bill can be debated’.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove had offered his full support in the lead-up to the debate, saying: “This bill will offer stronger protection for the many brave service animals that help to protect us.
“This Government is continuing to raise the bar on animal welfare, whether it be for our beloved pets, brave service animals or on farms.”
Really…………..
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We had the opportunity to speak with Sir Christopher immediately after his objection. Whilst disappointed to receive an objection we feel we can make real progress on 6th July.
We will continue to work with Sir Oliver, with Government backing to ensure that Finns Law is added to the statute books.
Let’s hope that common sense and decency enable this long-overdue law to make it into the statute books
Good luck for the 6th July our animals need us to look out for them.
Chope has been in the news for doing the same to another bill, and some of us actually believe his stand against nodding through legislation without debate is a good thing. For a start it strengthens the legislation as it will be recorded in Hansard as being debated, thus the ‘will and intent of parliarment’ is less doubtful and far less assailable in court.