DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (350/08) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 4 November 2008
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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