The Teignbridge Local Plan which has just been adopted, has a policy to allocate 2000 new houses in the Matford area of Exminster Parish and a further 500 houses in the adjoining Alphington part of Exeter. This is a total of 2500 new houses which will generate 5750 new residents. There is currently a Draft Development Framework for SWE1 and SWE3 out for for consultation with an end date of 23rd May. It is very important that Teignbridge District Council ensure that the proposed mitigation to encourage the residents of the new development to use the new Ridge Top Park for recreation and dog walking rather than visit The Exe Estuary SPA, is put in place before any development starts. Exminster has already had one bird habitat destroyed when the Cirl bunting habitat on NHS land at Hillcrest was deliberately sprayed with weed killer to destroy the crops sown by the RSPB for the Cirl Buntings winter feed. The hedges and hedgerows were then cut back severely to remove the habitat where the Cirl Buntings lived. This happened last November when Planning Consultants were assessing Hillcrest for possible housing development in the future. The Exe Estuary, which includes the RSPB Exminster Marshes Reserve, is now at risk. Studies such as The Exe Disturbance Study clearly show that the increased number of people using the area for recreation and dog walking is already impacting on the birds and their habitat. Teignbridge District Council has carried out Assessments under The Habitats Directive. They concluded that the SWE1 development is part of an in combination effect of around 12,400 houses in Teignbridge and this together with further 12,000 houses in Exeter and 15,000 houses in East Devon making a total of 39,400 houses over 20 years generating an additional 90,000 people will have a Likely Significant Effect on The Exe Estuary SPA. The provision of a 70 hectare Ridge Top Park (SWE3) as a Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANGS) as well as other proposed mitigation measures are needed to mitigate this. The Exe Estuary was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in 1992. It is an internationally important site and is also designated as a Ramsar Site, European Marine Site and Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI). It is a relatively small estuary but one which supports and sustains a wide range of designated habitats and species. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.1 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of Avocet (being one of only three SPAs classified for non breeding Avocets) and the Slavonian Grebe. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.2 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of migratory species and as a site supporting an internationally important assemblage of birds. More than 20,000 wintering waterfowl are found here including Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Red Breasted Merganser, Wigeon and Dark Bellied Brent Goose. There is potential harm if development near to The Exe Estuary goes ahead without appropriate mitigation in place, to the ongoing ability of The Exe Estuary to support and sustain its designated habitat and species. The Exe Estuary is a particularly small Estuary meaning that there is potentially little space for PEOPLE and BIRDS. The Bird Habitats of The Exe Estuary must be prevented from further harm. Teignbridge District Council, as the competent authority, has a duty to ensure the protection of sites such as The Exe Estuary which is classified for its habitats and species of European importance. Please help us to make sure they do by signing the Petition.

There are many illegal birds and amphibians, brought into the country to be sold in our pet shops. Not to mention people breeding cats and dogs to be sold there too. Puppies and kittens less than six weeks old, are left all night unattended while the shops are shut. This is cruel and unecessary, especially as there are so many unwanted animals languishing in rehoming centres. Please sign the petition and let's stop this trade in animals.

If you have any feelings whatsoever for animals and the manner in which they end their lives as food for us, then you will care for their wellbeing.

These collars have nasty spikes in them which dig into the poor helpless dogs neck. Pinch collars have a series of inward facing, metal prongs which are designed to tighten around the dog’s neck and cause pain and discomfort when tension is applied through the lead. It is animal cruelty and must be stopped. Luvmydog.co.uk could help us stand up against these cruel devices by stopping all sales and removing them from their site. RSPCA, the Dogs Trust and other organisations have already come out against them, see below. Now we call upon luvmydog to join them. https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/-/CBY/Joint%20statement%20ETDs%20and%20prong%20collars%20April%202014.pdf

A company called LuvMyDog.co.uk is selling these, As my MP I would like you to investigate this petition, and outlaw collars that cause dogs pain and discomfort. There appears to be absolutely no need for a collar like this to be produced. Please help me outlaw products that injure defenseless creatures in this way. https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/-/CBY/Joint%20statement%20ETDs%20and%20prong%20collars%20April%202014.pdf

Studies in anaesthetised calves have shown that cutting the blood vessels in the neck causes activity in the brain which indicates that pain would be present if the animal were conscious. This brain activity is prevented by effectively stunning calves with a captive bolt (concussion on the front of the skull). Imams in many countries accept that, as the stunning process does not cause death or stop the heart then it is acceptable for halal meat to be produced from animals that are stunned. Animal welfare legislation is not an infringement of religious freedom of expression and laws designed to protect animals should apply to all animals slaughtered in the UK. We petition the department to ensure that all animals are effectively stunned prior to slaughter.

Too many people are getting dogs and seeing them as possessions or "money makers" by over breeding them for some easy cash or using the as "status dogs" using them to fight. When a dog is so cheap to buy, people are buying them then realizing they didn't want one in the first place. People are getting dogs free from people and selling them on. They are now treated as something with no value, as easy as if they were selling a mobile phone. This leads to unwanted dogs clogging up the kennels taking up time and money because of irresponsible owners. By making everyone licence their dog, this would weed out people who actually care and love their dogs. By having a breeding licence with vet check and behavioral expert, this will stamp out deformities caused through inbreeding and stop the aggressive gene passing on to the next generation, thus reducing the risk dramatically of "dangerous dogs". It is very important for the BSL to be banned as no dog should be targeted and killed because of what breed it is. You wouldn't go and jail or kill all murderers children because of what their parents did... so why do it to a dog? It can't help that it was born and there is no proof to say that dog will grow up aggressive. This should be abolished and every dog tested separately and treated as individual cases. If you really wanted to stop dangerous dogs and the suffering of dogs happening all across the UK, there is no excuse. Act now and stop the suffering!

As reported in the MIRROR by Martin Bagot 26th march 2014. I urge you to click the link and read the information in order that you will also agree this practice is totally unacceptable. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/live-pigs-strapped-body-armour-3289516

It is time to take a stand against animal abuse in ALL IT'S FORMS....Animals have as much right to welfare and to life as people....animal husbandry seems to have long since vanished. Wildlife is fighting for survival, as indiscriminate culls are enforced by people with little or no experience of right or wrong, scientists are being ignored and greed is taking over Animals need a voice, and we the people must be that voice....So far three states in the USA have implemented such a register, and it is to be rolled out across other states in the future....it is a start...ARE WE GOING TO LAG BEHIND...

I had to pay over £600 for my very old dog to be put to sleep on a Sunday. I do not want others to have to worry about these fees at such a difficult time.

In March 2013 in the face of a great deal of opposition from local residents the London Borough of Enfield agreed to allow L&Q Property developers to build 231 dwellings on a heritage site in Cockfosters, North London. This site is 10 acres of Ancient Woodland containing Ancient Oaks and other trees hundreds of years old. It is also home to two European protected species, 6 species of bats and great crested newts. Other animals including badgers and foxes also make their home here. There are stag beetles, hedgehogs, water fowl, butterflies (one of which is on the endangered list), there is protected flora. There are two ponds, both of which are mentioned in the Domesday Book, and a Roman well. The planning consultation was flawed but we did not have the money to take on such large corporations in the High Court. Now, despite conditions being placed on the developer, they are already felling trees and planning demolition of the existing buildings next week. Natural England placed a condition on them when they granted the licenses for the bats and newts that NO work could be undertaken until a rigorous search of the site was undertaken between March and May. The developer and Enfield Council are clearly circumnavigating this condition and doing as they please. Enfield Council and Natural England MUST enforce these conditions.

The Calderon dolphins are near extinction and innocently go to the shores to interact and play. They are greeted by sharp hooks that lead them to their slow and painful deaths in their own blood. They are magnificent, intelligent creatures and there is and never will be a good reason on this Earth when such a massacre should be necessary. "The hunts, called "grindadráp" in Faroese, are non-commercial and are organized on a community level; anyone can participate. The hunters first surround the pilot whales with a wide semicircle of boats. Then they drive the whales slowly into a bay or to the shallows of a fjord. When a whale is in shallow water a hook is placed in its blowhole so that it may be dragged ashore. Once on land or immobilized in knee-deep water, a cut is made across its top near the blowhole to partially sever its head. The dead animals are then dragged further to shore after the remaining whales have been likewise killed. This "grindadráp" is thought to be legal and provides food for many people in the Faroe Islands. Some Faroese consider the hunt an important part of their culture and history. Animal-rights groups, such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, criticize it as being cruel and unnecessary, while the hunters claim in return that most journalists do not exhibit sufficient knowledge of the catch methods or its economic significance."