Animal Welfare in Scotland - Today's the Day.

[daftscotslass]

Yesterday the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill came into force. It is a huge step forward and replaces animal health legislation that was nearly a century old. It brings with it:

A duty of care on all owners. Cruelty is not just physical torture or neglect, it is also now defined as failure to act on and prevent illness.

Tail docking of all breeds of dog (excluding working dogs like sniffer dogs or in the event of injury) is now against the law.

Fines for up from hundreds of pounds (which was a lot of money back in 1911, but laughable by today's standards) to tens of thousands of pounds.

Animals as prizes (i.e. goldfish at fairs) is now illegal.

Read the story here BBC NEWS | Scotland | New animal bill targets cruelty

[clover-crystal]

Daft, do you have any idea when the same act will come into force in England?

[Fluffball]

Fantastic news! I can only hope Australia will one day follow suit, but they have no plans as of yet. The RSPCA does want to ban the sale of animals in pet shops but no legislation has even been written up yet.

[CavyKind]

Daft, do you have any idea when the same act will come into force in England?

As soon as possible I hope.

Barbara

[littlebear]

This excellent the world (well Scotland) is finally changing its methods. I am also very happy that animals can no longer be prizes. Its so sad some kid goes throws a ball into a cup with fish and walla they have a fish that will probably die in a week due to neglect. The US should follow in Scotlands foot steps!

[cookie_gal]

Does this mean that when someone gets caught they'll actually get some form of punishment? Will they go to jail for a decent time? - No-one stays in for the full term and so they'll be out in a couple of months. I'm not actualy that enthusiastic about it as I cannot see it making much difference sadly. It's great that animals won't be prizes and about the docking but docking will still go on illegally I bet - backyard breeders? Will the docker or the person that buys the docked dog get the punishment?

Also with these thousands of pounds fines - what if they can't pay it? - they won't care if they know they do not have funds. Will they then definatly go to jail?

Final grumble, this is the only place I've read about this bill, it should be heavily published in the news otherwise it will not act as a deterrant, which I think is the most important thing. Its no good if the animal as already suffered even if the creature that did it is going to get punished properly.

Its a step in the right direction but it remains to be seen if it has any effect.

[daftscotslass]

Docking will be classed as unnecessary mutilation and to dock will become an act of cruelty. This could (moreso than before) result in prosecution.

To be honest I have my doubts about the act as well but you must realise that it is far more adequate than legislation that was nearing a century in age. It has been heavily publicized in the news up here along with SSPCA advertisements, but obviously not in England. It remains to be seen if the hefty fines and longer jail sentences will be implemented since the law is in its infancy.

I have no idea when it will come into force in England.