This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Animal Health and Welfare Bill
31/05/2006
New powers to better protect animals are contained in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill which enters its final parliamentary stage today.
These include a duty of care on pet owners which will allow action to be taken to protect animals before suffering occurs, and owners who fail to care for their pets properly could face six months in jail and fines of up to £5,000.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Deputy Animal Welfare Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"The legislation proposes significant new measures to safeguard the welfare of domestic, pet and captive animals and to help to bring an end to animal suffering in Scotland.
"The Bill will require animal owners to care for their animals properly. Seemingly innocent acts which could cause suffering such as leaving your dog in a car on a sunny day may mean you have failed in your duty of care under the new legislation.
"There will also be the banning of all docking of dogs' tails in which the Executive is supported by the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
"The Bill also includes measures to reduce the risk of future disease outbreaks and enhance the Executive's ability to respond where they emerge. This will help to protect animal and public health, as well as the environment, rural economy and society as a whole."
There are also provisions to:
- Allow animals to be taken into care before they begin to suffer
- The creation of offences of supplying, publishing, distributing or showing a recording of an animal fight, or to possess a recording with the intention of distributing or showing it
- Extend the slaughter powers available to Scottish Ministers to tackle quickly and eliminate exotic animal disease
- Provide powers to license animal gatherings
- Allow Scottish Ministers to set Biosecurity Codes to reduce the risk of disease spread
- Give the power to inspect vehicles in any outbreak
The Bill amends the Animal Health Act 1981 and strengthens Animal Welfare Legislation, some of which dates back to 1912.