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The Animal Welfare Act 2006 came into force on the 27th March 2007 in Wales and the 6th April 2007 in England.
The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 came into force in October 2006.
The Acts introduce the new legal concept of a ‘duty of care’, which means that people are now legally obliged to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. A person who owns a dog, or is looking after a dog (or other animals covered by the Acts) must make sure the dog has a suitable environment; has a suitable diet; is able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns; is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. The carer must also address the dog’s need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals.
The Acts also cover the sale of animals to people under 16 years, dog fighting, tail docking and more. Please follow the links below for further information on these.
Until recently animal welfare legislation meant that prosecution was only able to be made when actual cruelty or suffering was experienced. These Acts strengthen penalties for anyone convicted of an animal welfare offence, as well as giving law enforcement agencies the power to take action to prevent animal suffering before it has a chance to occur.
The RSPCA (or SSPCA in Scotland) is the only organisation that is able to prosecute owners and remove animals if they are being mistreated. Please call the RSPCA 24 hour national cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999 or the Scottish SPCA on 0870 73 77722.
The Acts are currently primary (framework) legislation and Dogs Trust is continuing to work with government on secondary legislation and codes of practice.
Dogs Trust has produced an easy guide to the dog specific parts of the Acts, so if you’d like a copy please click here (opens new browser window) to download a copy or email: info@dogstrust.org.uk
For more information from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, please go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/index.htm
