ANIMAL AID TO STAGE SIT-DOWN DEMOS IN DIY STORES
 National
pressure group Animal Aid recently launched a campaign to highlight the health
risks of keeping reptiles in captivity and targeted Petworld - (located in Focus
Do It All stores) - the last pet chain to sell reptiles. The campaign is now
being stepped up as Animal Aid claims that Focus Do It All is being mis-advised
by their 'experts'. The company has ended the sale of iguanas, because of their
size, but are continuing to sell other reptiles despite government health warnings.
Demonstrations will take place across the country on June 30 and July 1 outside
dozens of the company's branches, 70 of which already contain in-store Petworlds.
This time campaigners, protected by bio-hazard suits, will venture inside the
stores. There will be silent 'sit-downs' in stores where there are Petworld
departments.
In an open letter to Focus Do It All, reptile biologist Clifford Warwick
C.Biol., F.I.Biol., M.I.B.I., says of Focus Do It All's advisors:
"I am appalled at some of the irresponsible statements apparently
attributable to or sanctioned by both Mr Divers and Dr Coote. For instance,
the claim that 'Salmonella can only infect humans through transfer of faeces
to the mouth', offers an erroneous and potentially dangerous precedent, and
promotes disregard for other established transmission routes.
"While I do not doubt Mr Divers' abilities as a vet to treat many
reptilian ailments, his credentials on such salient issues as reptile behavioural
needs and captivity-stress are sufficiently minimal that I should regard him
as a lay-person in these fields.
"If Dr Coote's public statements are being accurately reported they
reveal, in my view, an apparent lack of important biological understanding
of disease transmission."
The Department of Health recently re-issued a health warning, following the
second infant death so far this year from contact with a salmonella-infected
reptile. The health warning stated that children under five, pregnant women
and the elderly should avoid all contact with reptiles. Animal Aid claim that
Focus Do It All's profit-driven activities and their attempt to create a 'family-atmosphere'
are jeopardising public health as well as animal welfare.
Nine out of ten captive reptiles are infected with salmonella. Therefore, it
is a strong possibility that Focus Do It All members of staff, after cleaning
out the reptile tanks, could transport the salmonella bacteria - lodged in their
clothes, shoes or hair - around the store, shedding infectious material onto
products as they go. This bacteria can survive for up to three months on a surface,
which means that an unsuspecting member of the public could then purchase a
product and carry the health hazard straight into his or her home. Such a risk,
according to Clifford Warwick, one of a few scientists in Europe specifically
qualified in this area, is not theoretical but very real.
All over the country, demonstrators will be inside Focus Do It All stores,
dressed in bio-hazard costumes. Andrew Tyler, Director of Animal
Aid says:
"Reptiles suffer intolerably in captivity. As a result of this they
become ill and threaten human health. Until such time as Focus Do It All withdraw
from the pet reptile trade there should be signs clearly posted around the
store detailing that children under five, pregnant women, the elderly and
other people with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk. Until
Focus Do It All discontinue the sale of ALL reptiles, we feel compelled to
continue to publicise their complacency on the issue."
Focus Do It All Protests Protests will be taking place in the following areas
during the days of action on June 30 and July 1. Please contact us for details
of times, local contacts etc. The list is still being added to, so please check
the latest situation.
ABERDEENSHIRE Arbroath; BERKSHIRE Winnersh: BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
High Wycombe; DYFED Pembroke Dock; HAMPSHIRE Waterlooville;
HERTFORDSHIRE Borehamwood; HUMBERSIDE Scunthorpe; KENT
Tunbridge Wells; Sevenoaks, LANCASHIRE Blackburn LINCOLNSHIRE
Grimsby; LONDON Merton; MERSEYSIDE Widnes; NORFOLK Great
Yarmouth; NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Nottingham RENFREWSHIRE Glasgow; STAFFORDSHIRE
Burton Upon Trent; SURREY Camberley; SWANSEA Swansea; TYNE
AND WEAR Washington, Sunderland; WEST MIDLANDS Dudley, WILTSHIRE
Swindon; WORCESTERSHIRE Bromsgrove; YORKSHIRE Bradford.
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Notes to Editors
- For more information contact Elaine Toland on 01732 364546.
- We have an ISDN line for broadcast-quality radio interviews.
- See also reptile
campaign index.
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