JUSTICE FOR PETS: Prediction Tele campaign will bring change in the law

SNP man Chris McEleny told of his ‘confidence’ that our drive to alter wildlife legislation in the wake of the Pets’ Corner outrage will prevail.

His prediction comes after the Scottish Government last week said that the law is kept ‘under review’ and hinted that it ‘may be rectified’.

Cllr McEleny — who leads the council’s SNP group — said: “The Scottish Government response is encouraging and proves again that we have a government that listens.” His comments come after MSPs Stuart McMillan and Duncan McNeil wrote to SNP justice secretary Michael Matheson in support of Justice for Pets.

Our campaign was launched after the Crown Office revealed it cannot prosecute a man suspected of the massacre of defenceless animals at Gourock’s Pets’ Corner due to a time bar legal loophole. Cllr McEleny — who leads Inverclyde Council’s SNP group — said: “This campaign has to date proved what is good about politics.

“Through working with my colleague Ronnie Ahlfeld over the last two years to keep the spotlight on this issue we have finally — thanks to the support of the Greenock Telegraph — managed to gain the support of many other local politicians.

“By working together I am confident the government will listen to the Telegraph’s campaign and that the law will be changed to ensure nobody escapes justice in the future.” The Scottish Government’s stance on the issue has been broadly welcomed by other leading local politicians.

But Gourock independent councillor Mr Ahlfeld said that he is dissatisfied with the official position and fears that the government is ‘not committed’ to revising the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

Cllr Ahlfeld told the Telegraph: “I think this response is disappointing.

“It appears that there is no commitment to revise the law as it stands. What is more confusing is a statement from the government that ‘time bars are there to protect the public and court system’.

“Surely when there is a weight of evidence against an individual as appears to be the case here, then it is in the public interest to bring charges against that individual?” Mr Ahlfeld, pictured above, declared: “How on earth can this be deemed to be protecting the public? I very much commend the Telegraph on the campaign and earnestly hope that it continues.

“I am afraid that common sense appears to have gone out the window here — there must surely be exceptions to this time bar ruling.” Council leader Stephen McCabe welcomed the government statement but called for further clarification on what is actually being done.

He said: “I welcome the fact that the government has indicated that there is a process available to ministers for reviewing the effectiveness of legislation.

“It would be helpful, however, if we could have a clear indication from the government that such a review is underway in this case and a timescale for the review to be concluded.” Labour man Mr McCabe added: “In the meantime it is important that the Telegraph and its supporters continue the campaign for a change in the law so that ministers are fully aware of the strength of public opinion on this matter.” Greenock-based SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s acknowledgement of the situation and the fact they are looking into the matter.” Inverclyde’s Labour MSP Duncan McNeil said: “I take some comfort in the Scottish Government’s general response to the horrific Pets’ Corner attack in which they make clear that if legislation is deemed to be ineffective then it can be rectified.

“However, I hope that the justice secretary will be more specific in response to my recent representations as to how this would be achieved in relation to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act which, in its current form, is preventing the perpetrator from being brought to justice.” Justice chief Mr Matheson is yet to formally respond to Mr McNeil and Mr McMillan.