The British Horse Society welcomes the Animal Welfare Act
in England
The Animal Welfare Act comes into force in England tomorrow
(Friday, 6 April 2007). It is the most significant piece of
welfare legislation for nearly a century and should help to
protect the welfare of all horses and other equines.
Under the Act a person responsible for an animal, whether
on a permanent or temporary basis (for example, the loaner
of a horse), will have a duty of care and responsibility to
ensure that the animal’s welfare needs are met. These
include:
· Providing a suitable living environment,
· Providing a suitable diet,
· Allowing the animal to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
· Housing with or apart from other animals, as required,
· Protecting the animal from pain, injury, disease
and suffering.
Rachel Molloy, BHS Acting Senior Executive of Welfare, said:
“The BHS welcomes this valuable legislation which will
help to prevent the unnecessary suffering of equines.”
Under the Act, Inspectors are able to serve Improvement Notices
on an owner or keeper failing to meet the welfare needs of
their animal. If the advice is ignored the person responsible
for the animal can face prosecution and action can hopefully
be taken before an equine actually suffers.
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