Lord Mayor Campbell Newman Honored for Animal Protection

On June 3, 2008 (Golden Year 5), Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, in Queensland, Australia, prohibited the city council from supplying cats and dogs from animal shelters to a local university for experimentation. “This has troubled me from the moment I became aware of it and I immediately moved to end the practice … it's a good outcome in terms of our city going forward and treating our pound cats and dogs humanely,” stated Mayor Newman.

For his compassion and courage in standing up for the rights and welfare of animals, Supreme Master Ching Hai honored the Lord Mayor with a Shining World Leadership Award. In Master’s letter of commendation, She wrote: “There are many cases where a dog or cat has saved a human’s life, where our life was dependent upon their extraordinary senses, compassion and love. It is heart-warming that you are extending the same courtesy towards them in their time of need. With this new initiative, these precious beings will be available for adoption and their continued survival with a new family. Thank you Lord Mayor for extending your every assistance to them and showing them dignity and respect.”

In response, Mayor Newman stated in a letter dated October 7, “It is a great honour to receive this award.” Many thanks, Lord Mayor Newman, for your humane policy and for being a voice for the animals.

Letter from Lord Mayor Campbell Newman

Reference:http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23803388-3102,00.html