NO - Sarah Lee, policy and conservation officer, the Countryside Alliance
The act of going out, buying a pet and having the responsibility of caring for it encourages the child to be more mature and respectful of animals. It seems absurd that the Government should tighten restrictions on pet ownership for children - it seems unenforceable and indeed it should be the parents who oversee their children's behaviour. Many youngsters buy and care for ferrets and this is a great way for them to become involved in the natural world.
YES - Jessica Lawrence, 11-year-old rabbit-owner
I don't think it's right without asking the parents if they should buy one first. If you come home with a pet and your mum doesn't like it and you get bored with it after a week, then your parents will have to look after it and clean up its hutch. I take my rabbits out every day to play with and I never get bored, but other children might. They might forget to feed them and not tell their parents because they have other important things to do. Then they could die because they haven't been fed or given water.
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