SUPPORT for the Greenock Telegraph’s Justice for Pets campaign yesterday spanned the globe — as more than a thousand people signed up to our petition within 24 hours of the appeal going live.

Signatures flooded in from across Inverclyde and beyond, with one expat from the district registering her approval from her home in Perth, Western Australia.

Veronica Campbell Highet was so moved by our revelation about the legal loophole which prevents prosecution of the man suspected of carrying out the Pets’ Corner slaughter that she immediately took to social media to help share our law-change campaign. Veronica posted on Facebook: “I was born and raised in Gourock and lived near Darroch Park. How can a human, if you can call them human, do this to defenceless animals?” Meanwhile, hundreds more people flocked to back our petition online — and sign the paper version of the appeal in the Tele office, council buildings, shops and at Pets’ Corner itself.

Ryan Taylor, of Greenock, wrote: “I’m signing because I’m fed up with animal cruelty not being treated seriously.” Police arrested an 18-year-old man in April 2013 over the senseless 2011 killing spree at the popular Gourock petting zoo after getting a positive DNA match from evidence.

But Crown Office prosecutors can’t haul him in to court because the breakthrough in the case came more than six months after the crime was carried out.

We are campaigning hard to have this inexplicable time bar restriction lifted from the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

A wave of people power, in the wake of cross-party political support for what we are doing, is rapidly strengthening and gaining ground in Inverclyde and beyond.

Celebrity Twitter users — including acclaimed Greenock actor Martin Compston, X-Factor finalist Abi Alton, comedian Janey Godley and singer Ronan Keating’s fiancee, Storm Uechtritz — all backed Justice for Pets by re-tweeting our campaign rallying call on Twitter yesterday. Online signatory Margaret Harkins of Inverclyde posted: “The law should be more harsh on animal cruelty. We are meant to be a nation of animal lovers, so a lot more has to be done.” Gourock’s Kimberley Kime added: “Because they have no voice, we must be their voice. We must fight for their justice.” Roseanne Devlin of Glasgow wrote: “No time bar should be put on prosecuting the people who commit acts of cruelty against animals.” Sylwia Socha of Inverness said: “It is shocking that people who harm innocent and defenceless creatures go free. They should rot in jail with no future prospects!” Karen Gemmell of Port Glasgow posted: “If the proof is there, prosecute the suspects, no need to time bar. These people are inhuman and cruel.” Kirsty Sinclair, of Alloa wrote: “Absolutely disgusted that this scum got away with it! Change the law now!” Roslyn Duncan, of Greenock declared: “The law is WRONG. This guy should be prosecuted for what he did to these animals regardless of how long ago it was.” John McCready, of Greenock, posted: “People who harm helpless animals will harm human beings without a second thought.” Sharon Duffy, of Upminster in England, posted: “I’m signing this petition because something has to be done. Please don’t just sit back.” You can sign the petition online by logging on to http://chn.ge/1QBjUhu