Brazilian seeks ban on human pet names |
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Sunday, 05 December 2004 |
(Brazil, AP) - A Brazilian legislator wants to make it illegal to give
pets names that are common among people.
Federal congressman Reinaldo
Santos e Silva proposed the law after psychologists suggested that some
children may get depressed when they learn they share their first name
with someone's pet, said Damarias Alves, a spokeswoman for Silva.
"Names have importance," said Alves. The congressman "wants to
challenge people's assumptions that it's acceptable to give animals
human names," she said. If the law is passed, pet stores and veterinary
clinics would be required to display a sign noting the prohibition of
human first names for pets. Brazilians who break the law would be
subject to fines or community service.
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