The Animals Act 1971

Question 1

who is liable if a domestic animal causes damages or injures/kills livestock?

Answer 1

the owner/ keeper of the animal

Question 2

who is liable in the case of humans?

Answer 2

• the keeper is not liable if the damage is wholly due to the actions of a victim, or if they voluntarily took a risk
• if a person trespasses onto land over which the animal has jurisdiction and the animal mauls the person, then the owner is not liable

Question 3

what rights does a land occupier have when livestock strays onto their land and when does this cease?

Answer 3

• the land occupier has the right to detain them
• this ceases after 48 hours if police or owner are not notified
• this ceases when monies are tendered by the owner of the stray beast, in lieu of the damages incurred

Question 4

what does this act say about the protection of livestock against dogs?

Answer 4

• generally people only have the power to act if the land is owned by them
• if a livestock owner shoots a dog, the person can only be accepted to be protecting if a dog is actually worrying sheep
• there must also be no other way of stopping its actions and there must be no easy way of finding out to whom it belongs