Progress

BLEATS have been overwhelmed by the level of support that has been received since the public launch, and we are truly grateful.

This is a brief summary of our progress to date:

1. The petition currently sits at over 10,820 signatures.

2. BLEATS Media coverage has included; Channel 7 News, Des HOUGHTON's column in the Courier Mail, Qld Times, Proctor, Brisbane Legal, as well as a number of radio interviews. In January 2008, BLEATS was featured in "That's Life" magazine and as a result of this publicity, received over 8000 signatures on its petition.

3. BLEATS is delighted that over 40 Barristers including Graeme PAGE of Senior Counsel, Stephen Keim of Senior Counsel, 50 Solicitors, and several major national law firms have agreed to provide pro-bono services to the RSPCA.

4. Graeme PAGE of Senior Counsel and the BLEATS team were invited to meet with Chief Magistrate IRWIN (as he then was) to discuss our endeavours. The meeting took place in late October 2007 with Judge IRWIN already aware of the BLEATS organisation.

During the meeting Judge IRWIN highlighted the constraints placed on the Judiciary due to the lack of appellate judgements. Judge IRWIN has offered BLEATS the opportunity to present a speaker at the Magistrates Conference in 2008. Graeme Page of Senior Counsel spoke on behalf of BLEATS and addressed approximately 80 magistrates at the conference in May 2008. Graeme Page spoke about community expectations and penalties with respect to animal cruelty and neglect under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.