Former Lib Dem Mayor of Horncastle convicted of animal welfare offences

A former Lib Dem Mayor of Horncastle, Pamela Ann Crisp-Beard and her daughter, Maria, have been found guilty of animal welfare offences by Skegness Magistrate's Court.

An RSPCA inspector found that the carpets in Crisp-Beard's house were so soaked with urine that her feet squelched when she walked. Rabbits were kept in such filthy conditions that they had dug tunnels in compacted faeces. Countless other animals were kept at the house and in the garden in filth and cages that were too small.

Crisp-Beard and her daughter kept 22 chickens, 15 rabbits, 5 mice, 4 ducks, 2 guinea pigs, 2 rats, 2 dogs, a golden pheasant, a cat, a goose, a parrot and 2 ferrets at their home in squalid conditions.

EU animal testing plans are a scandal and total disgrace

UKIP lead MEP candidates, Mike Nattrass & Nikki Sinclaire.

West Midlands UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass has called on the EU to slap a complete ban on the use of primates and any other animals in experiments. The UKIP MEP has bitterly attacked appalling EU moves to water down rules on animal experiments which cause severe prolonged suffering.

Mr Nattrass believes the European Parliament should be ethical and vote against the revision of EU rules thus protecting animal rights. He said: "I am totally against the use of primates or any other animals in experiments and will be voting against the revision of Directive 86/609 unless this includes a total ban on the use of primates in experiments.

"I have been involved in animal protection for many years and was first to sign the anti bullfighting 'Bull' in the European Parliament. I also signed against the cruel bear bile farming and against long distance transport of animals for slaughter."

"Entry into the European Union has proved to be about political domination in every area of our lives. Surly the use of primates in experiments is a matter for our Parliament and not unknown people hiding in Brussels."

"The EU now makes 75 per cent of our laws. It is time we said enough is enough. UK law should be made in Westminster and these laws should suit the UK not the 'one size fits all' European Union."

"If experiments must continue then let us see the justification. If those who do these things to living creatures are made aware of the powerful feelings to defend these lives then perhaps they will be less gung ho and show more respect."

Rejection will show those who experiment on apes and other intellegent beings, that there are many people who feel that each individual case must be justified at the very least.

The European Parliament will vote on the proposal in May.