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The law in England changed on 6th April 2007 (27th March 2007 in Wales) The Act imposes a ''duty of care'' on anyone responsible for an animal to take reasonable steps to ensure that the animal’s needs are met. This means that a person has to look after the animal’s welfare as well as ensure that it does not suffer. It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met. These include the need: 1. For a suitable environment (place to live) 2. For a suitable diet 3. To exhibit normal behaviour patterns 4. To be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable) 5. To be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease The new law also increases to 16 the minimum age at which a person can buy an animal and prohibits giving animals as prizes to unaccompanied children under this age. Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison. For more information visit the website of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Best Regards Rod Foster |
