SO, we Brits are finally living up to the stereotype that we care more about our pets than our children.

Don’t take my word for it, though. Just glance at the Government’s new code of practice for owners of dogs, cats and horses.

It’s part of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and has just been released for consultation. In other words, if there’s not a huge song and dance against it, it’s coming in.

It recommends against feeding dogs at the table, which can lead to begging, and that “curious” animals like cats should be kept away from windows or tumble dryers. Chocolates, raisins or grapes are “poisonous” for pets, and dogs should never be disturbed while eating as this can cause “food-related aggression”.

Breaching the code will not in itself be a crime, but it could prove to be a deciding factor as to whether someone is found guilty in court of a pet welfare offence. This carries a maximum jail sentence of six months or a fine of up to £20,000.

Now I am definitely not against anything which improves the way that people treat animals. Anyone who hurts a defenceless creature in any way is sick in my book and, frankly, jail is too good for them.

But, while there is this huge scrutiny of the nation as pet owners, where is a similar campaign to encourage people to properly care for their children?

Pet owners can be fined or even jailed if their cat or dog is massively overweight. But parents who shovel burgers and chips down their children’s throats as a matter of course, and couldn’t tell a recipe from a parking ticket, escape scot-free.

The new code covers the “how to” of a range of basic care, including exercise, grooming and training.

Most of it implying, as it demands, real commitment to looking after Tiddles or Tyson.

Call me a cynical old soul, but if some parents paid half that attention to the children they actually gave birth to, we would have far fewer of the anti-social behaviour problems currently rife in towns like Bolton.

And we would be giving kids the chance to grow into healthy, balanced adults, having been nurtured by parents who were actually interested in them.