The Animal Welfare Act

[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

[demicav]

I'm pleased about the new animal welfare act, let's hope it works.

[blackdown]

What a shame that wild animals don't have such protection. We are surrounded by devastation here in the Blackdown hills. The animals have lost their habitats.

[chrisjl]

Hi to All

It will become everyone's responsibility to ensure this new Act works.

Not just the pet owner, anyone that is concerned about an animal and its welfare.

If you see an animal you think is being mistreat, report the owner (if known) to your nearest RSPCA.

Yes, I agree about habit loss, this has a drastic outcome for wild animals and birds more should be done about this, but this is another subject that should have its own thread.

I myself am more than concerned about the loss of dolphins and other cetaceans every year around our coasts due to fishing practices used by the European Pair Trawlers.

This new Act for the welfare of pets is important, as has been seen of late in the media with irresponsible dog owners, (illegal breeds)

Thanks for your replies folks, pass the message on to other people you know.

Regards

Chris
Dolphin Care UK -

[martin s]

Definitely a step in the right direction but have to agree with blackdown regarding the lack of protection for our wildlife.

[eeyore]

wildlife actually has quite a lot of legislative protection - it is the manpower and resources to enforde the legislation which let the system down - and i suspect that the same problem is going to apply to the new legislation to protect pets, while its a good idea in theory are the police / rspca going to be given extra budget to enforce the legislationeffectively - are they flip as like...

[chrisjl]

Hi ALL.
With reference to what has been said, I fully agree with you all - ALL ANIMALS need protection, be it in the Marine environment or on land.
I am also fully aware of what can be done and what is being done to help protect these animals of ours, I say ours because of my own reasons - If we do not help to protect them, they will become extinct.
The worst animal on this planet is MANKIND.
They kill because they want to, they do not kill to survive as a food source like our wild Animal friends.
They kill to stay alive, reproduce and exist.
We cause wars, kill hundreds/thousands/millions of people - we also kill animals as a way of sport? How sickening is that?
I am a partner in the DEFRA Scheme - PAW.
I joined this partnership to help protect animal welfare, it was no easy process to be selected by DEFRA to become a partner, but I managed to join the band of people who really care about animal welfare.
I go out of my way to full fill my commitment, I am in constant touch with the Police wildlife officers throughout the UK, if I find out any animal is being persecuted in anyway I become involved thoroughly - I give my all.
Money is not the issue at fault here, mankind is to blame.
I am and have been for the last eight years been involved with the unnecessary deaths of our dolphins around the UK due to man's greed and ignorance due to by-catch.
How many of you eat Sea Bass or Tuna?
Quite a lot I suspect, therefore you are also responsible for deaths of dolphins around the UK and throughout the rest of the world.
I sound quite a bit harsh with my words here, but it is the truth hundreds of dolphins around the UK die to help feed you your favourite sea food.
This has been going on for far to long, I am also a Marine Mammal Medic who gets called out to help save dolphins, whales and seals that beach themselves quite often on our beaches.
They are all, almost associated to by-catch.
By-catch meaning they were caught catching the sea food you like to eat, I am in no way trying to tell you that you should not eat sea food, far from it.
What I would suggest to you is this, Look at the can of Tuna see where it was caught and how?
Ask your fishmonger where your sea bass came from and how it was caught?
The cans should tell you they are dolphin friendly? - Maybe?
Check out our website to see who is being honest with you.
I took on this task of being Dolphin Friendly from Greenpeace when they gave up as no one was being responsible enough to care, the Supermarkets, Fishmongers and you the buyers.
If you care enough, you will select your products from responsible fisheries and supermarkets that care about the welfare of dolphins and other cetaceans around the UK.
I know I have gone slightly off course here, but you should know that Dolphin Care UK is not just about dolphins.
We care about all wildlife, where they live and how they survive and what we can all do to help protect them for their future.
Leave it to mankind, they will all die.

Best regards and remorse for being a man.
(At least they will not blame me)

Chris Lowes
Dolphin Care UK -

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by chrisjl

Hi ALL.
With reference to what has been said, I fully agree with you all - ALL ANIMALS need protection, be it in the Marine environment or on land.
I am also fully aware of what can be done and what is being done to help protect these animals of ours, I say ours because of my own reasons - If we do not help to protect them, they will become extinct.
The worst animal on this planet is MANKIND.
They kill because they want to, they do not kill to survive as a food source like our wild Animal friends.
They kill to stay alive, reproduce and exist.
We cause wars, kill hundreds/thousands/millions of people - we also kill animals as a way of sport? How sickening is that?
I am a partner in the DEFRA Scheme - PAW.
I joined this partnership to help protect animal welfare, it was no easy process to be selected by DEFRA to become a partner, but I managed to join the band of people who really care about animal welfare.
I go out of my way to full fill my commitment, I am in constant touch with the Police wildlife officers throughout the UK, if I find out any animal is being persecuted in anyway I become involved thoroughly - I give my all.
Money is not the issue at fault here, mankind is to blame.
I am and have been for the last eight years been involved with the unnecessary deaths of our dolphins around the UK due to man's greed and ignorance due to by-catch.
How many of you eat Sea Bass or Tuna?
Quite a lot I suspect, therefore you are also responsible for deaths of dolphins around the UK and throughout the rest of the world.
I sound quite a bit harsh with my words here, but it is the truth hundreds of dolphins around the UK die to help feed you your favourite sea food.
This has been going on for far to long, I am also a Marine Mammal Medic who gets called out to help save dolphins, whales and seals that beach themselves quite often on our beaches.
They are all, almost associated to by-catch.
By-catch meaning they were caught catching the sea food you like to eat, I am in no way trying to tell you that you should not eat sea food, far from it.
What I would suggest to you is this, Look at the can of Tuna see where it was caught and how?
Ask your fishmonger where your sea bass came from and how it was caught?
The cans should tell you they are dolphin friendly? - Maybe?
Check out our website to see who is being honest with you.
I took on this task of being Dolphin Friendly from Greenpeace when they gave up as no one was being responsible enough to care, the Supermarkets, Fishmongers and you the buyers.
If you care enough, you will select your products from responsible fisheries and supermarkets that care about the welfare of dolphins and other cetaceans around the UK.
I know I have gone slightly off course here, but you should know that Dolphin Care UK is not just about dolphins.
We care about all wildlife, where they live and how they survive and what we can all do to help protect them for their future.
Leave it to mankind, they will all die.

Best regards and remorse for being a man.
(At least they will not blame me)

Chris Lowes
Dolphin Care UK -

nothing like a reasoned argument to persuade people to your cause is there

[Kymba]

This Act is Great (In theory) I am all for stopping cruelty to any animal.. But They couldnt enforce the laws that were already in place.. how are they going to enforce these??
Not enough Funding, not enough people to do the job, when it (if it) goes to court sentences are far to soft , not a deterant at all, and we pussy foot around to much before any action is taken....
Lots needs to change for this Act to work properly

[mrs fish]

3. To be able to behave normally

Does this mean my dog is allowed to eat cat poo or not

[C C]

[not help to protect them, they will become extinct.

How many of you eat Sea Bass or Tuna?
Quite a lot I suspect, therefore you are also responsible for deaths of dolphins around the UK and throughout the rest of the world.


That irked me a bit then mate, but as i read on i can see where you are coming from.
I eat plenty of Sea bass, but this is only when i have caught it myself (Sea angler).

[lol geoff]

Originally Posted by C C

[not help to protect them, they will become extinct.

How many of you eat Sea Bass or Tuna?
Quite a lot I suspect, therefore you are also responsible for deaths of dolphins around the UK and throughout the rest of the world.


That irked me a bit then mate, but as i read on i can see where you are coming from.
I eat plenty of Sea bass, but this is only when i have caught it myself (Sea angler).

[Devil's Advocate mode = on] Ha Haaaa but what about the bait....... is it able to behave naturally whilst hanging off a hook? [Devil's Advocate mode = off]

[chrisjl]

Hi All.

Thank you all for your comments.
The main reason for Acts and Laws is to help protect, there are a small minority who will always disregard these.
Yes there are many laws and acts to help protect, but we as individuals have to do our part.
For far to long this minority gets away with what they are doing because not enough people report them.
Some of you may say, if we report them nothing happens, this is not true.
Some of you will say, once people are caught they more or less get away with it?
This is down to the judges at the courts not being fully aware of all the facts, or in my own opinion the wrong judges sitting in charge of the cases.
We need judges who are up to date on animal welfare to sit and rule on a case of animal cruelty, these judges should know all about animal cruelty and have seen it for themselves.
This is starting to happen, but also the sentencing of these people need looking at, what good is a slap on the wrist or a small fine?
We need to be tougher on them, we need judges who are going to be prepared to do this.
In a couple of cases I have been involved with this year, things are beginning to change I cannot go into any detail here however.
But it includes harassment to dolphins and seals.
If you see someone being cruel to any wild animal report them straight away to your Police wildlife officer, or if it is a domestic animal or pet report them to the RSPCA.
They have to respond to your calls, if you ever have any trouble getting a response then please get in touch with me and I will intervene on your behalf.

Regards.

Chris Lowes
Dolphin Care UK -

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by chrisjl

Hi All.

If you see someone being cruel to any wild animal report them straight away to your Police wildlife officer, or if it is a domestic animal or pet report them to the RSPCA.
They have to respond to your calls, if you ever have any trouble getting a response then please get in touch with me and I will intervene on your behalf.

Regards.

Chris Lowes
Dolphin Care UK -

I'm sure that will make a big difference , I know you mean well chris but c'mon why do you think that your "organisation" will have any real influence unless perhaps marine animals are involved. - my advice would be that in addition to reporting to the police in the case of wild animals you should report to the relevant organisation e.g for birds the RSPB investigative unit , for Badgers the NfBG , for bats the bat conservation trust etc

also local wildlife hospitals are likely to have good links with local WLOs and may be prepared to pass reports on on your behalf - there is a big list of wildlife rescue centres in the wildabout britain forum.

in the case of domestic animals the RSPCA are likely to take action , but there are also other groups for different types of pet eg,the cats protection leauge etc

domestic or wild if you do call the police it is better to call the non emergency number than 999 (unless of course dramatic and urgent action is needed) , and to ensure that you make a note of the "crime" reference number you will be given.

It is also important to remember that police in particular are very overstretched dealing with many forms of crime with ltd resources and you are far more likely to get them to take you seriously if you show an appreciation of this and generally impress them as a mature and responsible individual rather than stamping your foot and demanding action this second.