Across all major cities in New Zealand this week, people and their dogs marched in protest of the Psychoactive Substances Act. This Act has come into effect to regulate ‘designer drugs’ or ‘legal highs’ to protect the safety of people who choose to take such drugs.
The Act allows for animal testing ‘when there is no alternative’ because the New Zealand MPs who voted for it refused to ban animal testing altogether.
A billboard by SAFE in Wellington
Many New Zealanders signed a petition to Government to oppose animal testing for something as frivolous as ‘getting high.’ The Ministers of Parliament didn’t heed those views when voting on the new law. Green MP Mojo Mathers has a members bill proposed to remove animal testing as an option – but there are no guarantees that it will be chosen from the ballot to move through the law-making process.
This isn’t about therapeutic drugs – this is about getting your jollies artificially and wanting assurances that you are safe because the products have been tested on animals.
I live in New Zealand, and I’m pretty saddened by the lack of leadership shown by the New Zealand Government. What do you think? Would you buy New Zealand made products or plan a trip here knowing that dogs and other animals may die for the legal high industry?
Not a good look, New Zealand. For shame!
DoggyMom.com 