Elephants as pets

The British government today ruled out the possibility of allowing elephants to be kept as pets. The announcement came following a petition to 10 Downing Street calling for UK pet shops to be allowed to sell elephants to the public.

More than 650 signatories supported the petition, which argued that children could get a better understanding of the giant creatures if they were kept as pets. But the government dismissed the suggestion by the 12-year-old petitioner, Jack Smithies, claiming "it would not be safe for people" to keep elephants.

The bizarre petition stated: "We the undersigned petition the prime minister to allow the sale of elephants in pet shops in the UK. We believe that every child in the UK would benefit from owning an elephant.

"We would like to make it legal to import African/Indian elephants to sell in pet shops across the UK. Elephants are creatures that children could learn about better by owning their own and keeping them in easily and cheaply converted sheds."

Smithies succeeded in obtaining 655 supporters. There have been rumours that he received the backing of TV natural history presenter Sir David Attenborough.

Smithies wrote: "It was my dream as a child to care for these magnificent creatures but, at the age of 12, I find that nobody takes me seriously. Please take my idea into account."

The government was keen to give proper attention to the proposal.

In response to the petition, it wrote: "The government agrees that keeping a pet has many benefits, not just for children but people of all ages. However, the government does not think elephants would make good pets. They are very large animals that are not used to being kept as pets, and have welfare needs that would be impossible to meet in pet shops or people's homes. Elephants can also be dangerous and it would not be safe for people to be able to keep them in their backyard."