‘Killjoy’ Greens wish to abolish zoos and pressure each canine proprietor to have a licence
The Greens want to abolish all zoos and force every dog owner to have a licence, in what critics have branded a ‘killjoy’ move.
According to policy documents on the party’s website, it wishes to introduce more red tape for the owners of Britain’s 13.5 million dogs and make parks return their animals to the wild.
A ‘two-tiered’ licensing system would be brought in for those who breed dogs and others who do not.
Dog licences were abandoned in 1987 and since 2016 all have needed to be microchipped.
But in Ireland, where a licensing policy still exists, owners make either a £120 lifelong payment or pay £17 annually.
The policy documents state: ‘The Green Party is opposed to the wholesale breeding, manipulation and destruction of those animals who are chosen as companions to the human race.
‘We will introduce measures to regulate the care and conditions for such animals including a two-tier system of dog-licensing [breeding and non-breeding], licensing of all animal breeders and dog owners.’
Along with such regulations, party leader Zack Polanski also wants to abolish zoos. Despite being a huge source of enjoyment for young children, the Greens want them shut down unless the parks prioritise preparing the animals for release into the wild.
Zoos which save injured wildlife would also be granted licences. Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins told The Sun on Sunday: ‘The Greens are barking mad for wanting to put dog owners on a very expensive lead and shut the UK’s highly respected zoos. Zoos inspire millions of children about wildlife and do vital conservation work for endangered species.
Zack Polanski wishes to introduce more red tape for the owners of Britain’s 13.5 million dogs
The Green Party also wants to ‘abolish zoos’. Pictured: A lioness at ZSL London Zoo
‘The Green killjoys want to throw this all away, while making dog ownership unaffordable. It’s a dog’s dinner of a policy.’
The Left-wing party, backed by 21 per cent of voters and behind only Reform according to the latest polling, also wants to outlaw horse and greyhound racing.
Its other policies include legalising the possession of drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, reversing Brexit and offering illegal migrants a home as well as access to the NHS.
And rather than repair the UK’s pothole-ravaged roads, the party would instead spend £2.5billion a year on new cycleways and footpaths – built using only ‘sustainable materials’.
A Green Party spokesman said: ‘We are a nation of animal lovers. Our policies on the cost of living, NHS, public services and the environment are proving increasingly popular with voters.
‘Our policies on improving animal welfare we’re sure will prove just as popular.’
