From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 13 December

Moggy, my cat, and I met in the street. Having been dumped, she moved-in, uninvited. Her choice was tantamount to winning Cattslotto!

ALWAYS, in my childhood we had a cat, but Moggy is my first, ever. A black and white short haired domestic, she sometimes bites and swipes – with intent. Often times she makes contact, draws blood, then bolts!  However, apart from our skirmishes, and when Dr Aaron Luttrell comes for a home visit (Moggy does not leave home – you have never heard such caterwauling), she leads a hassle-free life!

I never considered a cat. I am so besotted with dogs, I cannot help but pat them in the street. At one time I had five rescues: Luci, Oscar, Mitzi, Penny and Rocky. Buddy, whom I had given as a pup to a friend, came home to me eight years later when his owner was incapable. That was the deal. Sadly, all have been gathered-up. I miss their companionship.

Taking ownership of an animal is a life-time commitment, and an unwritten agreement to include them as part of your life. My pack went berserk when I returned home – even if it was from a walk to the post-box at the end of the street. In South Yarra, Luci would sit at the window, watching and waiting, however long.

Socialised pets hate being left alone. They fret and become depressed. A dog, barking persistently, is bored. It is, literally, crying-out for attention. Anthropomorphising notwithstanding, they are companion pets who just want to please and be part of the family; to be involved in household activities. Moggy follows me around like a dog. She stays with me, watching, when I am pottering in the garden.

Statistically, Christmas is the dumping season for animals. Reluctantly, I have been forced to ‘unsubscribe’ to several animal protection websites. The RSPCA emailed images so confronting I telephoned to express concern. They listened patiently and explained. I appreciate the use of shock tactics; however, for animal lovers the reality is nightmarish.

Widespread animal brutalisation is horrifying. It is impossible to imagine the state of a mind which inflicts any kind of cruelty on defenceless creatures. Understandably, animal lovers are bewildered at the laxity of the law and flabbergasted by the risible defence arguments proffered by barristers. Punishments do not match the crime, nor meet community expectations.

In Germany, walking your dog twice a day, for at least an hour in total, could soon become law. Also, there could be a ban on leaving them alone for the entire day and keeping them chained for extended periods. To ensure socialisation, puppies will have to spend a minimum of four hours a day in human company. Also, dogs whose behaviour is not ‘species appropriate’ will be banned from shows.              Dogs with ears or tail docked will be a contravention of animal protection rules.

In Australia, horrendous puppy factories remain legal in some states, along with sales in pet shops. Proposed German legislation will help eradicate both practices. Boldly, they are suggesting a travelling time limit of four-and-a-half hours for cattle in transit.

The country’s suggested changes are based on expert advice to ensure animal protection and well-being.

Regrettably, Australian animal welfare laws are deficient and cruelty is more widespread than is sometimes supposed. It is particularly egregious in the animal food industry. The over 500 million animals raised annually in factory farms experience pain and suffering in the same ways as our family pets; however, our legal system actively, and deliberately, excludes ‘farmed’ animals from protection against cruelty.

Animals are not disposable cuddly toys. Their needs must be taken into account. You can judge a nation by the way it treats it animals and its old people. We would do well to follow the German example.

We would be a better Nation for it.

Roland can be heard each Monday on 3BA at 10.45am and contacted via [email protected].