Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Fabrice Goffin is the new animal welfare alderman in Ostend. He used to manage an animal shelter and saw a lot of animal abuse. He wants to stop people who hurt animals from getting new pets. Goffin plans to create a list of animal abusers and teach pet care. He also wants to fine anyone who breaks the rules about having pets after being caught for abuse.
Fabrice Goffin has been appointed as the new animal welfare alderman in Ostend. He has experience as chairman of the Blauwe Kruis van de Kust animal shelter. There, he saw many cases of animal neglect and abuse. One case that was memorable for him was about two very malnourished dogs found in terrible conditions, nearly starving. He mentioned that this situation highlighted the ongoing problem of animal cruelty that he had seen many times before.
How will Fabrice Goffin address animal abuse and neglect in Ostend?
Fabrice Goffin has noticed a big problem, people who hurt or neglect animals often get new pets right after being caught. Many of these people find ways to avoid the rules, which keeps the cycle of abuse going. Now, as the new animal welfare leader, Goffin wants to change this. He plans to make a list of people who have hurt animals, keep an eye on pet owners who might be a problem, and teach others how to take care of pets. With his experience, he wants to help stop these cases and ensure animals in Ostend are safe.
According to Goffin, the police can take away animals, but only the public prosecutor can punish them. Goffin wants to stop this by banning anyone who has hurt animals from having pets, like rabbits. If they still have pets during this ban, they could be fined 250 euros and lose their new pets.
