Menu
14/10/2005
Animal welfare bill published
New measures to protect animals from cruel treatment have been published by the government.
The Animal Welfare Bill, the first overhaul of such legislation for nearly a century, will see the introduction of tougher penalties for animal cruelty. Those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals will face almost a year in prison and fines of up to £20,000.
The new Bill, which applies to England and Wales, aims to simplify and strengthen animal welfare legislation by bringing more than 20 pieces of legislation into one.
The Bill will introduce a duty on those responsible for animals to do “all that is reasonable” to ensure the welfare of their animals. This includes: the provision of a suitable environment; a suitable diet; and freedom from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The minimum age at which a child can buy an animal will be raised from 12 to 16 under the legislation and unaccompanied children under 16 will be prohibited from receiving pets as prizes.
Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said: “This is a much more appropriate way to ensure an animal an animal’s welfare than relying on a 94-year-old law that was only designed to prevent outright cruelty.
“The majority of pet owners and others involved with the care of animals have nothing to fear from this legislation. The Bill is aimed at those few who do not properly fulfil their responsibilities for the animals in their charge.”
(KMcA/SP)
The Animal Welfare Bill, the first overhaul of such legislation for nearly a century, will see the introduction of tougher penalties for animal cruelty. Those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals will face almost a year in prison and fines of up to £20,000.
The new Bill, which applies to England and Wales, aims to simplify and strengthen animal welfare legislation by bringing more than 20 pieces of legislation into one.
The Bill will introduce a duty on those responsible for animals to do “all that is reasonable” to ensure the welfare of their animals. This includes: the provision of a suitable environment; a suitable diet; and freedom from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The minimum age at which a child can buy an animal will be raised from 12 to 16 under the legislation and unaccompanied children under 16 will be prohibited from receiving pets as prizes.
Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said: “This is a much more appropriate way to ensure an animal an animal’s welfare than relying on a 94-year-old law that was only designed to prevent outright cruelty.
“The majority of pet owners and others involved with the care of animals have nothing to fear from this legislation. The Bill is aimed at those few who do not properly fulfil their responsibilities for the animals in their charge.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 April 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.
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.
01 July 2003
Commons votes to ban hunting with dogs
Labour backbenchers last night humbled the government over an attempt to install a last-minute compromise amendment in the Hunting Bill, when MPs backed a total ban by 362 votes to 154. Today, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said that it was now conceivable that a total ban on hunting with dogs could be enforced by 2005.
Commons votes to ban hunting with dogs
Labour backbenchers last night humbled the government over an attempt to install a last-minute compromise amendment in the Hunting Bill, when MPs backed a total ban by 362 votes to 154. Today, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said that it was now conceivable that a total ban on hunting with dogs could be enforced by 2005.
09 January 2006
Call for ban on dogs' tails 'docking'
Vets and animal welfare groups have called on the government to ban the practice of ocking of dogs' tails for cosmetic purposes.
Call for ban on dogs' tails 'docking'
Vets and animal welfare groups have called on the government to ban the practice of ocking of dogs' tails for cosmetic purposes.
20 July 2005
RSPCA calls for tougher penalties on huge cruelty case increase
The RSPCA has today called on the government to bring in a new Animal Welfare Bill urgently after the animal welfare charity revealed that there has been an almost 80% rise in cruelty cases in the last year.
RSPCA calls for tougher penalties on huge cruelty case increase
The RSPCA has today called on the government to bring in a new Animal Welfare Bill urgently after the animal welfare charity revealed that there has been an almost 80% rise in cruelty cases in the last year.
14 July 2004
'Comprehensive' overhaul of animal welfare laws unveiled
The most comprehensive modernisation of laws on domestic and captive animals for a century has been introduced in draft from the Commons today. The new legislation will introduce a new duty of care on pet owners to look after their pets properly, in accordance with good practice, and will, for the first time, define what constitutes cruelty.
'Comprehensive' overhaul of animal welfare laws unveiled
The most comprehensive modernisation of laws on domestic and captive animals for a century has been introduced in draft from the Commons today. The new legislation will introduce a new duty of care on pet owners to look after their pets properly, in accordance with good practice, and will, for the first time, define what constitutes cruelty.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
