Welfare Legislation Flashcards
Codes of Practice
These are non-legally binding guidance on how to keep specific species. They are recommendations but if someone breaks animal welfare laws, failure to comply, codes of practice can be used as additional evidence that they are not caring for their animals.
Duty (Animal Welfare Act, 2006)
A person commits an offence if they do not take such steps as are reasonable to ensure the needs of an animal for which they are responsible.
Improvement Notice (Animal Welfare Act, 2006)
These are served because an inspector feels someone is failing in their legal duty to an animal. It specifies the failings, the steps needed to correct the problem and the time period allowed. It also explains the consequences of ignoring the notice.
Primary Welfare Legislation
These are acts of parliament that set the basic legal standards for the welfare of all animals.
Protected Animals (Animal Welfare Act 2006)
“Animal” means vertebrate other than man, but no in a foetal of embryonic state. Invertebrate may be included if there is ‘scientific evidence that they can experience pain and suffering’.
Only animals that meet the following criterion are protected:
- of a kind commonly domesticated
- under the control of man, either permanently or temporarily
- not living in a wild state
Responsibility (Animal Welfare Act 2006)
- You are in charge of an animal
- You own an animal
- You are responsible for someone under the age of 16, who is responsible for the animal
Second Animal Welfare Legislation
These are created by delegated bodies of specialists and cover specific areas or activities such as circuses, transporting animal or scientific research.THey complement the primary legislation.
Transfer by Sale or Prize (Animal Welfare Act 2006)
It’s an offence to sell an animal to someone under the age of 16.
It’s an offence to win an animal as a prize.
