[chrisjl]

The Animal Welfare Act introduces a duty of care for pet owners to do all that is reasonable to ensure the welfare of their animals.

The five essential requirements that the owner of a pet will need to provide are:

1. A suitable environment (where it lives).

2. A suitable diet (what it eats and drinks).

3. To be able to behave normally.

4. To be housed with or apart from other animals (whatever is best for that particular animal).

5. To be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

The Act represents the first time that a welfare requirement is being introduced for non-farmed animals and raises the age limit at which a child can buy a pet, or win one as a prize, to 16.

Offenders can be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20.000, and sent to prison for a maximum of 51 weeks.

The Government intends to make more specific laws relating to animals where it is felt that more detailed regulations are necessary - such as the welfare of racing greyhounds and wild animals in travelling circuses.

With Kind Regards.

Chris Lowes
Dolphin Care UK -

We are a Member of PAW.
Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) | Defra