ANIMAL rights campaigners yesterday called for a ban on school pets.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), the pressure group, launched National Rabbit Week by calling on government ministers to introduce a ban on all creatures in classrooms.

Although the Scottish SPCA said only a handful of institutions continued to adopt the traditional practice, Peta is to write to Hugh Henry, the Education Minister, urging him to ban keeping small animals in the classroom.

Peta claimed that besides not having a proper diet, classroom pets such as rabbits, birds and mice were often neglected for long periods such as weekends and holidays and could be mistreated by pupils.

Poorva Joshipura, its director, said: "Keeping animals in the classroom teaches children all the wrong lessons - that animals are disposable learning tools' or props' which can be abandoned and forgotten about over long weekends or school breaks. A discussion on animal ethical issues, viewing a wildlife video or a visit to a local sanctuary can have positive results without negative consequences for the animals involved."

The Scottish SPCA, the animal charity, last night stopped short of echoing the call for an outright ban. Natalie Smart, its spokeswoman, said: "We wouldn't call for an outright ban because there are some social and educational benefits from having animals in schools. However, we stand very firm on strong guidelines being adhered to and closely monitored."

Ms Smart added that education officers from the charity visit those few schools north of the border which continue to keep animals.