Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Defra launches consultation on animal welfare codes of practice
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has today launched a consultation on new codes of practices for cats, dogs and horses, that will offer practical advice on pet ownership.
The codes of practice, which will be published on the Defra website and in leaflets, will help pet owners to better understand their duties under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Launching the consultation, Hilary Benn said:
"The Animal Welfare Act 2006 has been the most important piece of animal legislation for nearly a century. Animals are now afforded greater protection than ever before. These three new codes of practice will outline the responsibilities of owners under the Act and give practical advice on how to fulfil them. This means no one will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse for mistreating any animal."
The main purpose of the codes is to provide practical guidance on pet owners' responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act. If a person fails to comply with a code of practice they will not be liable to proceedings of any kind, but failure to comply with several provisions may be used in evidence to support a prosecution for animal cruelty.
Information in the codes will include practical advice on how
to:
* Create a suitable environment for your pet to live
in;
* Provide a healthy diet;
* Spot signs of
stress;
* Protect your pet from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Pet owners will also be able to use the codes to find external sources of information on looking after cats, dogs or horses.
Since its introduction in 2007, the Animal Welfare Act has helped organisations bring successful prosecutions to people mistreating animals. Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone convicted of cruelty to an animal could face a prison sentence or a fine up to £20,000.
Notes to editors
1 Consultation on the new codes starts today and lasts for eight weeks. The consultation documents can be found at the following locations:
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-cats-cop/index.htm
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-dogs-cop/index.htm
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Equines
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/welfare-equines-cop/index.htm
2. The Animal Welfare Act was introduced in April 2007. The Act created a duty on anyone responsible for an animal to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the needs and welfare of the animal are met.
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