Animal welfare in the United Kingdom

Red deer in the United Kingdom.

Animal welfare in the United Kingdom relates to the treatment of animals in fields such as agriculture, hunting, medical testing and the domestic ownership of animals. It is distinct from animal conservation.

Laws

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is the latest animal welfare legislation in the UK.^[1] It superseded and consolidated more than 20 other pieces of legislation, such as the Protection of Animals Act 1934 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960.^[1]

The 2006 Act introduced tougher penalties for neglect and cruelty, including fines of up to £20,000, a maximum jail term of 51 weeks and a lifetime ban on some owners keeping pets.^[2] Enforcers of the act such as the RSPCA have more powers to intervene if they suspect a pet is being neglected.^[2]

However, the maximum jail term of 51 weeks is often not applied.^[3] Tried in magistrates's courts, animal cruelty cases are considered "summary offences", with magistrates's courts only permitted to sentence people to a maximum of 6 months jail time.^[3]

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 also introduced a welfare offence for the first time.^[2] This places a duty of care on pet owners to provide for their animals' basic needs, such as adequate food and water, veterinary treatment and an appropriate environment in which to live.^[2] Previously the duty of care had only existed for farm animals.^[2]

The minimum age for buying a pet, or winning one as a prize, is 16 without parental accompaniment.^[2] In Scotland, the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 bans giving animals as prizes altogether.^[2]

The docking (cutting or removal) of animals' tails for cosmetic reasons is illegal in the UK, with the exception of 'working' dogs such as those in the police and armed forces.^[2]

Animal welfare issues

Animal testing

UK animal testing legislation is regarded as the strictest in the world.^[4] The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) regulates the conditions under which animal testing can occur in the UK.^[5]

Those applying for a license must explain why such research cannot be done through in vitro (non-animal) methods. The project must also pass an ethical review panel which aims to decide if the potential benefits outweigh any suffering for the animals involved.

Primates, cats, dogs, and horses have additional protection over other vertebrates under the Act. Revised legislation came into force in January 2013. This has been expanded to protect "...all living vertebrates, other than man, and any living cephalopod. Fish and amphibia are protected once they can feed independently and cephalopods at the point when they hatch. Embryonic and foetal forms of mammals, birds and reptiles are protected during the last third of their gestation or incubation period."^[6]

The definition of regulated procedures was also expanded: "A procedure is regulated if it is carried out on a protected animal and may cause that animal a level of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm equivalent to, or higher than, that caused by inserting a hypodermic needle according to good veterinary practice." It also includes modifying the genes of a protected animal if this causes the animal pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm. The ASPA also considers other issues such as animal sources, housing conditions, identification methods, and the humane killing of animals.^[6]

Dog fighting in the UK

It is estimated that a dog fight takes place every day in the UK.^[7] Fighting dogs are pitted against each other for "profit and reputational gain".^[7] Dog fighting can cause "torn flesh, blood loss, disembowelment or even death" of the dogs involved.^[7] Stolen pets, such as smaller dogs and cats are used as "bait" to train canines for fights, which can last for up to 5 hours.^[7]

Traditionally dog fighting was hidden away in rural areas, but is now also found in urban areas.^[7] It is often related to gang activity.^[7]

Sentencing for animal cruelty

The maximum jail term of 51 weeks prison for animal neglect and cruelty has been criticised as being too lenient.^[8] Adrian Sanders, a Liberal Democrat politician, has argued for sentences to be doubled to 2 years prison.^[8]

In practice, the maximum jail term of 51 weeks is often not applied.^[3] Tried in magistrates's courts, animal cruelty cases are considered "summary offences", with magistrates's courts only permitted to sentence people to a maximum of 6 months jail time.^[3]

In Northern Ireland in 2016, animal welfare related amendments to the Justice (No.2) Bill have been passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.^[9] As of April 2016, the Bill is awaiting royal assent.^[9] The amendments give Northern Ireland the toughest penalties for animal cruelty anywhere in the UK or Ireland.^[9]

The maximum sentence available for cases heard in Magistrates Courts in Northern Ireland have increased from six to 12 months.^[9] The maximum fine in Northern Ireland has risen from £5,000 to £20,000.^[9] In Crown Courts in Northern Ireland, where more serious cases are heard, the maximum sentence for animal cruelty has increased from two to five years.^[9][10]

Animal welfare proposals

In a 2016 policy paper, the Ulster Unionist Party proposed:^[11]

• The creation of a central register of people convicted of animal cruelty.
• Making an attack on a guide dog or assistance dog an aggravated offence.
• CCTV to be installed in slaughterhouses in a bid to improve animal welfare standards.

At the 2015 election, the British Labour Party's animal welfare policies were in summary:^[12]

• "End the badger cull".
• "Improve the protection of dogs and cats".
• "Ban wild animals in circuses".
• "Defend the hunting ban".
• "Deal with wildlife crime associated with shooting".
• "Lead the fight against global animal cruelty".

At the 2015 election, the British Conservative Party's animal welfare policies were in summary:^[13]

• "Push for higher animal welfare standards to be incorporated into international trade agreements".
• "Ban wild animals in circuses".
• "Press for all EU member states to ensure that animals are only sent to slaughterhouses that meet high welfare standards".
• "Encourage other countries to follow the EU’s lead in banning animal testing for cosmetics".
• "Work to accelerate the global development and take-up of alternatives to animal testing where appropriate".
• "Protect religious methods of slaughter such as shechita and halal".
• "Tackle the international wildlife trade".

See also

• Animal welfare organisations in the United Kingdom

References