UK: Pet welfare act coming into force

[thalestral]

BBC NEWS | England | Pet welfare act coming into force

The RSPCA have been creating awareness about this as it comes into force on Friday. Instead of just having to provide food and water as it is at the moment, pet owners will now have to be seen to provide "appropriate food and water, shelter and exercise, and to be treated quickly if they are sick or injured".

This is excellent news given how many people are reported for neglect with no action taken simply because whatever else the conditions the animals have had food and water.

The act also includes the banning of tail docking, yay!

Fellow Scots - is this already the law in Scotland or have we fallen behind? :/

[daftscotslass]

Originally Posted by thalestral

BBC NEWS | England | Pet welfare act coming into force

The RSPCA have been creating awareness about this as it comes into force on Friday. Instead of just having to provide food and water as it is at the moment, pet owners will now have to be seen to provide "appropriate food and water, shelter and exercise, and to be treated quickly if they are sick or injured".

This is excellent news given how many people are reported for neglect with no action taken simply because whatever else the conditions the animals have had food and water.

The act also includes the banning of tail docking, yay!

Fellow Scots - is this already the law in Scotland or have we fallen behind? :/

It came into force here in October last year - http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...odays-day.html

There was a vet on TV this morning who summed it up perfectly. He doesn't think the act will do much for animal welfare unless the local authorities implement it properly. He suggested that old laws on welfare and cruelty if, interpreted in the right way, were adequate. This, of course, was not the case as it was far too much effort to get a conviction.

The new laws haven't really been tested here in Scotland yet as there have only been a regular number of convictions and fines only into the hundreds as opposed to the thousands that the new laws allow.

I really like the emphasis on cruelty as failure to act - under new legislation moreso than the old one, you can be convicted of cruelty if you fail to act on an animals' illness and/or treat it yourself.

It still remains to be seen whether or not it has an impact. Roll on secondary legislation that will require registration of breeders. It will also have an impact on rescues/sanctuaries - no legislation out on this front yet but it won't be long, I'm sure.

[thalestral]

Thanks for the link daft, I hadn't seen that thread. I do like the emphasis on duty of care but as you say, how effective it is remains to be seen. I guess though that any step forward is a step in the right direction, and lays the foundations for further acts in the future.

[crazywiggy]

I'm really pleased the new law is in - fingers crossed it actually makes a difference.

I really hope they hurry up with the secondary legislation, not just registration of breeders but the codes of practice for pets. Things like minimum cage sizes etc would be great.

I like the fact it should also give the RSPCA/police chance to act on a situation before serious suffering occurs, e.g. being able to take the animal before it starves.

[clover-crystal]

Is there going to be secondary legislation daftscotlass than? Where did you read that?

[daftscotslass]

Originally Posted by clover-crystal

Is there going to be secondary legislation daftscotlass than? Where did you read that?

It was on the news in Scotland, I don't know about the situation in England.

I doubt that small animal breeders will need to register, though, which is a pity.

[crazywiggy]

I believe part of the whole reason for the new Act being brought in was so that there would be a mechanism in place for bringing in further legislation as needed.

Defra, UK - Animal Health and Welfare - Animal Welfare - Animal Welfare Act

The Home Office website explains what secondary legislation is and what sort of stuff they want to bring in.
Hope this helps.