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04/04/2007
Animal welfare act to come into force
People are to be made legally liable for the basic welfare of their pets under new legislation which comes into force in England on Friday.
The Animal Welfare Act introduces a duty of care for pet owners to do all that is reasonable to ensure the welfare of their animals.
Pet owners will now have to ensure that their pet has a suitable place to live - either with or apart from other animals, whichever suits it best - is properly fed, allowed to express normal behaviour and is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Offenders will be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and face a maximum prison sentence of 51 weeks.
The age limit at which a child can buy a pet, or win one as a prize, will also be increased to 16 under the new legislation.
The Act represents the first time that a welfare requirement has been introduced for non-farmed animals.
Launching the new legislation at the RSPCA's Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital in north London, Defra Minister Barry Gardiner said: "The Animal Welfare Act represents the most important achievement in animal welfare legislation for almost a century. For the first time ever, there will be legislation to stop the suffering of pet animals before it occurs. By allowing early intervention this Act works on the principle that prevention is better than cure."
Joining Mr Gardiner at the launch was RSPCA vet David Grant who also welcomed the legislation. He said: "The Animal Welfare Act is of great significance to the many thousands of animals that suffer through neglect and for those of us that work to help prevent suffering."
The Act came into effect in Wales on March 27.
The government intends to make more specific laws, under secondary legislation, for particular kinds of activities relating to animals where it is felt that more detailed regulations are necessary; such as the welfare of racing greyhounds and wild animals in travelling circuses.
(KMcA/SP)
The Animal Welfare Act introduces a duty of care for pet owners to do all that is reasonable to ensure the welfare of their animals.
Pet owners will now have to ensure that their pet has a suitable place to live - either with or apart from other animals, whichever suits it best - is properly fed, allowed to express normal behaviour and is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Offenders will be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and face a maximum prison sentence of 51 weeks.
The age limit at which a child can buy a pet, or win one as a prize, will also be increased to 16 under the new legislation.
The Act represents the first time that a welfare requirement has been introduced for non-farmed animals.
Launching the new legislation at the RSPCA's Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital in north London, Defra Minister Barry Gardiner said: "The Animal Welfare Act represents the most important achievement in animal welfare legislation for almost a century. For the first time ever, there will be legislation to stop the suffering of pet animals before it occurs. By allowing early intervention this Act works on the principle that prevention is better than cure."
Joining Mr Gardiner at the launch was RSPCA vet David Grant who also welcomed the legislation. He said: "The Animal Welfare Act is of great significance to the many thousands of animals that suffer through neglect and for those of us that work to help prevent suffering."
The Act came into effect in Wales on March 27.
The government intends to make more specific laws, under secondary legislation, for particular kinds of activities relating to animals where it is felt that more detailed regulations are necessary; such as the welfare of racing greyhounds and wild animals in travelling circuses.
(KMcA/SP)
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