No Excuses For Mistreating Animals Says Benn

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has launched a consultation on new pet owner codes of practices for cats, dogs and horses. The codes, to be published on the Defra website and in leaflets, will help pet owners to better understand their new duties under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, government says.

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.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone convicted of cruelty to an animal could face a prison sentence or a fine up to £20,000.