Animal Welfare
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 affects for all pet owners. It stipulates a minimum care owners/ carers must give pets. Failing to adhere to this law could result in a ban from owning animals, a fine up to £20,000 and/or a prison sentance.
The Act includes:%20(2).JPG)
Section 4 - Prevention of Harm
Unnecessary suffering
a) acting, or failing to act, in such a way that unnecessary suffering is caused
b) being responsible for an animal, permitting or culpably failing to prevent another person causing unnecessary suffering to that animal.
Section 5 - Mutilation
a) carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal;
b) allowing such a procedure to be carried out on an animal.
A prohibited procedure involves those which interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of the animal, otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment.
Section 6 - Docking of dogs' tails
(1) A person commits an offence if-
a) he removes the whole or any part of a dog's tail, otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment;
b) he causes the whole or any part of a dog's tail to be removed by another person, otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment.
Section 8 - Fighting
A person commits an offence if he-
a) causes an animal fight to take place, or attempts to do so;
b) knowingly receives money for admission to an animal fight;
c) knowingly publicises a proposed animal fight;
d) provides information about an animal fight to another with the intention of enabling or encouraging attendance at the fight;
e) makes or accepts a bet on the outcome of an animal fight or on the likelihood of anything occurring or not occurring in the course of an animal fight;
f) takes part in an animal fight;
g) has in his possession anything designed or adapted for use in connection with an animal fight with the intention of its being so used;
h) keeps or trains an animal for use for in connection with an animal fight;
i) keeps any premises for use for an animal fight.
Section 9 - Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare - Duty of Care%20(Custom).jpg)
1) A person commits an offence if he does not take such steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which he is responsible are met to the extent required by good practice.
2) For the purposes of this Act, an animal's needs shall be taken to include-
a) its need for a suitable environment,
b) its need for a suitable diet,
c) its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
d) any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals,
e) its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
