JUSTICE FOR MICKEY THE MOUSE

A couple of weeks ago I revealed that a Home Office licensed vivisector had gone home and left a live mouse (Mickey) with his head in a clamp. Mickey was not found until the next morning. He had spent the night in agony.

I wrote to Home Secretary Jack '103mph' Straw to ask whether the researcher was going to be prosecuted.

Straw eventually wrote back to say that it had been 'decided not to report this infringement to the police.'

I've replied to Straw pointing out that causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is a breach of the Protection of Animals Act 1911. The maximum sentence is six months' imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine.

I've asked Straw who decided not to report the licence holder to the police?
'Since you know the name of the licence holder, and you have failed to inform the police, surely you too are now breaking the law?'

Straw won't release the name of the licensed vivisector who mistreated Mickey so I can't report the incident to the police myself.

But I've told Straw that I'm making a formal notification to the police that he is in possession of information relating to a crime.

I've told the police the Home Secretary has evidence relating to a serious crime - and has failed to report it.

Straw should pass the information in his possession to the police and ask for the vivisector to be tried in court in the same way that any other citizen would be tried.

Government and police are quick enough to oppress the lawful actions of antivivisectors. The Home Office has used the law to stop me criticising the government's failure to fulfil its pre-election promises.

But a vivisector can break the law with impunity.

'It's only a mouse,' vivisectors will say.

But cruelty is cruelty is cruelty. And Mickey, who died in agony, deserves justice.
Let's make sure he gets it.

Please write to your MP and ask why Jack Straw has not reported this incident to the police - and please send details of the Justice for Mickey Campaign to everyone you know.