Like all other animals in the horse family, donkeys are social herd animals. But the Animal Protection Act does not protect donkeys enough against loneliness, says FDP National Councilor Anna Giacometti (61) and wants to change that.
The Graubünden are demanding an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act in an initiative. Equidae, as the equine family is called in technical jargon, must currently have other equines around.
Donkeys, mules and mules are not horses. Nevertheless, you can currently comply with the animal welfare rules if you just put a donkey in the stable with the horses. Or vice versa. Because the individual equines are not differentiated. However, in the future, they should have social contacts with their peers. According to the politician, for example, horses could not replace a donkey for these social partners.
The animal welfare regulation must therefore take into account the special characteristics of donkeys, mules and hinnies, insists Giacometti. Now the co-chair of the parliamentary group on animal welfare is pleasantly surprised.
All kinds of animal friends
The Federal Council has voted in favor of their proposal. The cabinet is prepared to implement the requirement, he writes in his response to the motion, at least as far as social contacts are concerned.
The answer made her very happy, but also a little surprising, according to Giacometti. “The Federal Council is not always open-hearted when it comes to animal welfare issues,” she notes.
But how come a liberal advocates for the welfare of donkeys? Animal welfare may not be a typical FDP concern, but fortunately there are people in all parties who care about animal welfare, the statement said. In fact, the national councilors of the SP, FDP and Greens signed their initiative.
Giacometti once had donkeys herself
There is a specific reason for Giacometti’s love for animals. She had her own small farm. “Especially with sheep, but there were also donkeys,” she says enthusiastically.
That’s why she is committed to the social life of the otherwise rather stubborn animals: “If you know them, you know that donkeys and mules are very social animals and don’t do well when they have to be lonely and their lives are not.” t going to spend with them congeners.”