Tauranga residents are joining thousands of protesters throughout the country taking a stand against party pill testing on animals.
The Tauranga March to Protest Party Pill Testing on Animals – starting at The Strand on Tuesday, July 30 – is part of a nationwide event with marches in more than 10 cities.
Welcome Bay resident Elly Maynard with her pet beagle ‘Maisey'. Photo: Daniel Hines.
Tauranga animal lover Rachel Gainfort is leading the Tauranga march, starting a Facebook page inviting residents to take part in the protest.
So far, more than 260 people have joined the page in support.
'I am stunned and moved with the support and passion behind Tauranga people,” says Rachel.
'We need to show the Government we will not accept this and New Zealand is speaking now.”
On July 17 the Psychoactive Substances Bill came into law banning legal high sales from dairies and grocery stores petrol stations and everywhere alcohol is sold. It also bans sales to under 18-year-olds and anyone breaching the rules faces up to two years prison.
But party pills and legal highs can still be sold in R-18 stores.
Welcome Bay resident Elly Maynard, who is president of Sirius Global Animal Organisation Trust, wants an outright ban on the sale and manufacturing of party pills, which will stop the need for the drug to be tested on animals.
'Party pills have the same effect as speed, ‘P', ecstasy and LSD and these are the things our Government thinks acceptable for our people?
'No way do we want our animals or any animal put at risk and killed for the sake of a few drugs.”
Elly founded Sirius – an organisation committed to the classification of dogs as being 'not for Human Consumption” across the world.
Sirius is now a non-governmental organisation in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
'The United Kingdom refuses to grant licences for the manufacturing of legal highs so why can't New Zealand?”
The Tauranga protest is scheduled for 12pm Tuesday. Protests throughout the country are also planned for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Hamilton, Taupo, Dunedin, Levin, Palmerston North, Kerikeri and Invercargill.
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/events/557815457614612/
8 comments
Can't entirely agree sorry.
Posted on 26-07-2013 10:13 | By Papamoaner
I have dogs too, but sometimes medicines have to be tested on animals or humans. We have little choice. To some people (just a very small minority), animals are more important than humans. That in itself, is an inhuman trait. I don't have a problem with animal testing of medicines if it's done with sensitivity, but I agree with you that it's inappropriate for substance abuse drugs.
in all fairness
Posted on 26-07-2013 13:11 | By rotovend
dear moaner I bet your dog is one of your best companions and these animals help many people in day to day life, there are alternate ways of testing and animal testing is totally un-necessary especially on this rubbish which should just be banned completely and as for your small minority, and you will find loads of people that prefer animals or need animals to help in their daily needs
Fed up with idiots....
Posted on 26-07-2013 13:19 | By gingerpussy
are you kidding me...we dont need these so called 'party pills'....dont let the animals suffer, they cant tell you how they are feeling. Its time people grew up and took control of themselves instead of letting these substances rule their lives.....
Papa 'Moaner'
Posted on 26-07-2013 13:54 | By panda
Have you seen what they do to animals in laboratories? I assure you there's nothing 'sensitive' about it. Would you volunteer your dogs for tests? I very much doubt it. There are alternatives to using animals, has been for years. Governments choose 'not' to change the law so companies are forced into using them. This needs to change!
help the poor dogs
Posted on 26-07-2013 15:03 | By Maria M
dam cruel y should they suffer so some dumb ass gets high. test them on humans that want to volunteer dont be stupid an est them on animal were do i sign perition
At least try to be objective
Posted on 26-07-2013 15:52 | By Papamoaner
Can we not agree to disagree like adults without calling each other names? Once you do that, you have lost the argument.
@papmoaner
Posted on 26-07-2013 16:28 | By Reeff
It is because of people with your attitude that this disgusting practise happens in nz. I am shocked that you feel this is acceptable, it is NOT acceptable at all. It's pretty obvious these stupid party pills are dangerous so ban them.....simple really
Reeff has lost the plot.
Posted on 26-07-2013 20:46 | By Papamoaner
I already made negative comment about substance abuse. It's probably a good idea to read before shooting from the hip. You people are a very small minority in the general scheme of things. It's not possible to argue a point with you because you get all up tight and personal and lose the plot. I think they call it spitting the dummy - a common trait with extremists. Waste of time - I'm out of here. Happy meat-eating and leather-wearing folks. Don't drive a car or ride a bike - animal products there too.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.