Horse and Pony Protection Association

Animal Welfare Bill becomes law
New law comes into force in England on 6th April 2007

HAPPA welcome this new law which means that for the first time owners will have a legal responsibility to care for their animals.

The Animal Welfare Bill completed its final stage in Parliment on 6th November and was given Royal Assent on 8th November. The new Animal Welfare Act will come into force in England on 6th April 2007.

Under the Animal Welfare Act anyone who is responsible for the care of an animals will have a legal responsibility to meet its five basic welfare needs. These are:

- a proper diet (including water)
- somewhere suitable to live
- any need to be housed with, or apart from, other
animals
- allowing animals to express normal behaviour
- protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury

The Animal Welfare Act also updates offences and penalties related to causing unneccessary suffering, fighting, docking of dog's tails, mutilations and administering poisons.

Tha Act replaces the now outdated Protection of Animals Act which was set in 1911.

HAPPA Operations Manager, Kathryn Roberts hailed this new act as a significant move forward for animal welfare. " In the past, many animals had to endure regular and ongoing neglect without any legal protection. Although it was an offence to cause an animal unneccessary suffering, it did mean that many animals tolerated unsatisfactory care and a poor quality of life because we needed to prove an animal was actually suffering before we could intervene. The new act will place a legal obligation on the owner or keeper of an animal to provide for its welfare and action can then be taken in time to prevent suffering which is massive step forward in preventing the neglect of equines"

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