Animal Health & Welfare Act

Question 1

Date came into force

Answer 1

October 2006

Question 2

Main principle

Answer 2

Places duty of care on pet owners and others responsible for animals
To ensure that welfare needs are met

Question 3

Specifications of the act (4)

Answer 3

Offence to fail to take reasonable steps to ensure welfare of protected animal
Offence to cause unnecessary suffering
Prohibits animals as prizes
Age limit for purchase increased to 16

Question 4

Penalties for breaking act

Answer 4

Up to 12months in prison +/-
Up to £20,000 fine
Disqualification from owning/keeping/being in charge of animals

Question 5

Specifications of disqualification

Answer 5

Set time period or lifetime

All animals or specifies specific

Question 6

When can an animal be physically removed from danger

Answer 6

If vet certifies animal is suffering

Can be done without certification if urgent action required

Question 7

Who is authorised to remove an animal in danger (4)

Answer 7

Animal health and welfare inspector of local authority
SSPCA inspector
Police officer
Member of state veterinary service

Question 8

Animal fighting offences (5) + exception

Answer 8

Attendance
Betting
Providing premises
Possessing equipment
Making/showing/distributing recordings 

Except on foreign soil
Exemption of recordings prior to Oct 2006

Question 9

Abandonment

Answer 9

Illegal to leave animal somewhere with intention of abandonment
Offence to leave animal unattended and failing to make adequate provisions for welfare

Question 10

Variation in Scotland and England re. Agricultural law & what this covers

Answer 10

Covers notifiable disease in livestock
Incorporated into AHWA in Scotland
Separate from act in England

Question 11

What legislation covers tail docking

Answer 11

AHWA Scot 2006 - amendments regulations 2017