Protesters rally against animal keeping laws

ANGRY: Residents gathered in North Maclean last weekend to discuss Logan City Council's animal laws.

A RALLY held in North Maclean last Sunday saw about 300 Logan residents gather to protest against Logan City Council's proposed animal laws.

Declared a success by organiser, Paul Kerr, many of the protesters brought their pets to the rally or brandished placards with statements like ‘don't use our pigs as your piggy banks'.

“It went very well,” Mr Kerr said.

“There were a lot of people, about 250 or 300.

“We held a citizens forum.”

Mr Kerr said the residents wouldn't hesitate to hold another rally to ensure they get what they want.

Present at the rally were Councillors Sean Black, Hajnal Black and Phil Pidgeon.

Cr Sean Black and Cr Hajnal Black said they were very pleased with the turnout at the rally and claimed a victory in getting council to back down on their animal keeping laws at council's full meeting last Tuesday.

“It's a very good outcome,” Cr Hajnal Black said.

“The community made a very strong stance...but we're not quite there yet. We need to keep the momentum going.”

Cr Sean Black said even though it wasn't easy to organise a rally of that size, the community had made sure their voices were heard.

“I wasn't surprised (at the result in council) because the community had spoken so loudly,” he said.

But Cr Pidgeon urged residents to remember the animal keeping laws were still in the very early stages, and there were at least another two or three draft proposals to be released.

“Their voices are important, and I thank them for coming out to voice their concerns,” he said.

“Obviously a lot of people are very upset, but it's my belief it's too early for the protestors to be marching.”

Cr Pidgeon said council would continue to meet with the community to ensure they get the animal keeping laws correct for rural areas.

“If we don't get it right in the final stages then we should be marching, and I will be leading the charge,” he said.

“But people need to remain cool, calm and collected...and I ask members of the public not to be drawn into the politics of this.”