Veterinary Ethics and Welfare Flashcards
Animal Welfare Act 2006
Owners and keepers have DoC to animals and meet needs
- Suitable env & place to live
- Suitable diet
- To exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- To be housed with, or apart from, other
animals (if applicable)
- To be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease
Animal Welfare Act (2006) Offences
- Knowingly causing a protected animal to
suffering unnecessarily
» Unreasonably allowing an animal in that
person’s care to suffer from somebody else
» Mutilating an animal- Docking a dog’s tail (unless exempt)
» Admin poison to a protected animal
» Animal fighting - Promoting, paying, participating
» Protected animal - Commonly domesticated in the UK
- Under the control of man
- Not living in a wild state
» Responsibility will always be with owner - May also be others “under their care”
- Docking a dog’s tail (unless exempt)
Vet Welfare Responsibilities and RCVS
Report welfare concerns - Supporting guidance 14
- Suspicion of abuse - vet attempt to discuss with client
- If client’s response increased concerns, vets consider disclosing info w/o consent
Animal Welfare Act (2006) Enforcement
A constable may seize an animal in relation to an animal fighting offence
A constable may enter and search premises for the seizure of an animal related to fighting
Other offences need a warrant
* Require records to be produced relating to animal welfare
* Carry out inspection to check compliance with licence conditions
* May carry out inspection to check compliance with a registration
RSPCA, SSPCA, USPCA Inspector/Animal Rescue Officer
Local Authority Inspector
Animal Welfare Act (2006) Prosecution
» 5yr max sentence
» £20,000 fine
» Disqualification from animal ownership
» Local authorities responsible for enforcement
* Referred to recognised national authority
* Inspectors have no statutory power under AWA 2006 or common law
Limitations of RSPCA for Prosecutions
- Lack legal authority
- RSPCA is not a gov body & doesnt have statutory powers like the police or local authorities.
- Cannot enter properties w/o consent or a warrant unless accompanied by the police.
- Cannot seize animals unless authorised by a vet or law enforcement officer.
Limitations of the RSPCA for prosecutions
- Private Prosecutor Status:
- RSPCA prosecutes cases privately, which is legal but uncommon for an organisation that is not a public authority.
- Unlike the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the RSPCA lacks independent oversight in its prosecutorial decisions.
- There have been concerns that its dual role (both investigating and prosecuting cases) could lead to perceived bias.
Limitations of the RSPCA for prosecutions
- Reliance on Public Donations
- Charity - resources limited & enforcement priorities may be influenced by funding and public perception rather than a government-led strategy.
- The RSPCA cannot fine or sanction offenders directly—it can only pursue legal action, which can be costly.
Limitations of the RSPCA for prosecutions
Selective Enforcement & Regional Variation
- The RSPCA primarily focuses on domestic animals (pets) and has less involvement in farmed animals or wildlife welfare, despite the AWA 2006 covering all vertebrates.
- Enforcement levels vary by region depending on RSPCA resources = inconsistent enforcement
- Closer collab with the CPS, but the RSPCA still largely conducts prosecutions independently.
- Some high-profile cases, particularly against farmers, pet owners, or hunts, have been criticised as overzealous or politically motivated.
Puppy Smuggling
Illegal importation of puppies for sale under pet travel schemes
AHC Import Requirements:
- Microchipped (but doesn’t need to be registered on UK database)
- Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older
- 21 days wait before travel
- Tapeworm treatment 1-5 days prior to entry to UK
Puppy Smuggling - Doesn’t address:
- Other infectious disease – Leishmania,
Babesia, Brucella - No record of journey length or conditions
- No record of conditions of breeding
establishment - Falsifying data, especially age
- Indiscriminate breeding of “designer
breeds”
Lucy’s Law
April 2020
Puppies and kittens must be sold directly from breeder
Licensed dog breeders must show puppies interacting with their mother in place of birth
Puppy Smuggling - Vet Obligations
RCVS will support any VS or RVN that reports suspected illegal smuggling on basis of animal welfare or public interest
no legal or professional obligation to inform the authorities
Encourage client to report seller
Suspected rabies, there is a legal obligation to report to APHA immediately
Animal Hoarding
More than a typical number of animals
Failing to provide even minimal standards of
* Nutrition
* Sanitation
* Shelter
* Veterinary Care
Results in:
* Illness and death from starvation
* Spread of infectious disease
* Untreated injuries or medical conditions
Denial of inability to provide minimum of care and impact of failure on:
* Animals
* Household
* Human occupants
Overwhelmed Caregiver
- Problems ~triggered by change in
circumstances or resources - Overaccumulation of animals from uncontrolled breeding, donation
- Initial effort to provide proper care but eventually gets overwhelmed
Rescue hoarder
- Strong sense of mission to save animals, irresistible compulsion
- Fears death of animals and opposes euthanasia
- Believes they are the only one who can provide adequate care
Exploiter hoarder
Actively acquires animals purely to serve own needs
Indifferent to suffering, lacks empathy for other being
Recognising Hoarding
More than typical number of pets
Poor condition
* Body condition
* Coat condition
* Claw/hoof condition
Parasites
* Ectoparasites
* Endoparasites
Skin lesions
Dental disease
Behavioural concerns
Caution with independent rescuers
* Always rehome to recognised animal rescue
organisation
* Wildlife
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)
- Protect animals used for experimental scientific procedures
- Clinical investigations that would not benefit the animal
Novel treatments in practice
Surgical approaches
Human medical therapies
* FIP in cats
Delivery of therapeutics (prolonged release)
* Transdermal
* Implant
* Intramammary
Microchip implant technology
Prosthetics
Renal transplant – UK vs. US
Novel treatments
» “The use of any novel treatments must be reasonably expected to result in a similar or better outcome than that following conventional treatment. The veterinary surgeon must have some background knowledge of the treatment in order to make a professional judgement.”
RCVS Supporting Guidance 25
Before Performing Novel Treatments
- Accurately describe procedure
- Anticipated risks and benefits
- Adequate “advance consent for emergency procedures including euthanasia”
- Second vet as patient advocate and decision maker for withdrawal of treatment or euthanasia?
- Communication with client
Social Media - Confidentiality
- Do not disclose client or patient information without consent, in line with GDPR and the RCVS Code of Conduct.
- Posting photos of animals must be done with owner permission to avoid privacy breaches.
Social Media - Reputation:
- Vet professionals should maintain a professional tone online to uphold trust and credibility.
- Engaging in arguments or criticism of clients/colleagues can harm reputations and lead to disciplinary action.
Social Media - Accuracy
- Fact-check before sharing info to avoid spreading misinformation.
- Providing advice on diagnosis or treatment online without consultation could breach under care guidelines.
Social Media - Marketing
- Clinics must avoid misleading advertising (e.g. exaggerating treatment outcomes).
- Influencer partnerships must be transparent (e.g. declaring sponsorships for pet products).
Social Media - Online Abuse:
- Negative reviews handled professionally and constructively, avoiding defensive responses.
- Blocking or reporting abusive comments is sometimes necessary for staff wellbeing.
