PUPILS at a Haverfordwest school have made a passionate plea to convince their MP to support a new animal rights law: hearing them read out their poems above is enough to make any parent proud!
Class 3 and 4 at Redhill School, Haverfordwest gave an emotive assembly in front of Stephen Crabb MP where they described the need for a new law to protect animals who work for the police, people with sensory needs, and in other services.
Pupils reading to Stephen Crabb MP at the assembly.
The presentation came hot on the heels of a term-long project following the fate of Police Dog Finn, a service animal who was stabbed several times while chasing down a criminal with his handler PC David Wardell in 2016.
Finn has now recovered from his ordeal and retired, but PC Wardell started a campaign for new legislation to protect service animals, as currently those who attack them can only be charged with criminal damage.
Redhill pupils read out newspaper reports they had written about the attack on Finn, as well as poems describing why Finn’s Law would give new worth to service animals in the eyes of the law.
A news report written by one of Year 3 and 4's pupils, and a copy of Fabulous Finn by PC David Wardell.
They also read out letters they had been sending to David Gauke MP, the justice minister, each day over the past few weeks.
After presenting their case for Finn’s Law, the class asked if Mr Crabb had been convinced by their argument.
He said: “It is a very moving thing isn’t it? You have really captured the moment and just what a serious situation this was for Finn and his handler.
“Your core message is very important that we should give all service animals extra value in the eyes of law.”
He added: “I will go back to parliament on Monday and speak to the justice secretary and make sure he replies to your letters and will explain why I am supporting this law.”
Harry and Katie from Year 3 and 4 being interviewed by Jim Hughes of Radio Pembrokeshire.
Vicki Brown, the class teacher, was very proud of her pupils’ work.
“This all started as a newspaper writing project, but the children wanted to do something to help Finn. I am so proud of them.”
Class 3 and 4 will be visiting the Senedd before the end of term to see political debate in action.
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