Nappy-clad lamb makes her point ahead of winter cold snap
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick with a warmly wrapped Lily the lamb in Melbourne on Wednesday. Photo: AAP
A Victorian crossbench MP has brought a newborn lamb to parliament as he called on the government to make shade and shelter a legal requirement for farm animals.
Animal Justice MP Andy Meddick introduced Lily the lamb to MPs on Wednesday in an effort to “put a face to the suffering lambs across Australia endure”.
Lily, who was clad in a rainbow knitted jumper, matching blanket and nappy, was born at the weekend and would have died after becoming orphaned and left in the cold if she wasn’t found by rescuers.
Mr Meddick said more than 15 million lambs die from exposure across Australia each year, largely because they are offered no legal protection from the elements.
“The cold snap coming through Victoria is a reminder of how vicious our winters can be, especially during the recent storms,” the Western Victoria MP said.
“While we’re rugged up inside with our pets, lambs are being born outside in the blistering cold. It’s not surprising that many won’t make it.”
He said he hoped MPs would better understand the issue once they met Lily.
“If you’ve ever been lucky enough to meet a lamb, you’d know they are individuals with their own personalities, entirely deserving of kindness and safety,” Mr Meddick said.
“The least we can do is provide them with adequate shade and shelter.”
Mr Meddick moved a motion in the Legislative Council calling on the Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to make shade and shelter mandatory for all animals.
Ms Thomas has been contacted for comment.
-AAP