Agnes Freitas took office this Thursday, April 7, as the first animal provider in Tavira, a municipality that, in the words of the mayor Ana Paula Martins, wants to be a «reference in the defense of animal rights and welfare».
The ceremony took place at the Municipal Library and was the culmination of about three years of work until this position of provider was created, as the mayor explained.
«This was a process that began in 2019, still with the previous executive. The creation of the figure of the animal provider always had a lot of consensus within the executive, but, for various reasons, publication in the Diário da República was delayed», said Ana Paula Martins.
Despite mentioning that there is still a lot of work to be done to improve the conditions of the animals in the municipality of Tavira, namely in terms of the conditions of the municipal kennel, Ana Paula Martins guaranteed that the municipality wants to «be a reference when it comes to the defense of rights and animal welfare'.
For Agnes Freitas, «this is a very important step that the municipality is taking».
«The figure of the Animal Ombudsman has been approved for some time, but few municipalities have set an example. Therefore, Tavira is really being an example to be followed by other municipalities”, he told journalists, referring that the “expectations are that there will be collaboration between all”.
Agnes Freitas, who performs the position on a voluntary basis and without remuneration, explained that the figure of provider of the animal will work as «a bridge».
"People can approach me, come to me, talk about their fears, expose their questions, and I'll liaise with the competent authorities", said the businesswoman and teacher by profession.
«I'm just a face, but I need a whole team and all the competent authorities for the work to be done successfully. What happens is that people are still very afraid to report their neighbor or someone who mistreats animals – and it also happens who still has a lack of sensitivity towards them”, he added.
According to Agnes Freitas, the main objective to be put into practice for now is “to make people feel comfortable” to denounce situations of abuse.
Ana Paula Martins, mayor of Tavira, explained, finally, that awareness-raising actions will also be carried out with the entire population.
Photos: Cátia Rodrigues | Sul Informação
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