Animal Welfare Bill protects ‘our best friends’
Barbara Follett, MP for Stevenage, enthusiastically welcomed proposed new laws to guarantee animal safety and welfare. A wide-ranging government bill was tabled before the House of Commons last week which aims to update over 20 pieces of animal welfare legislation dating back to 1911.
Mrs Follett said “The UK has a deserved reputation as a nation that takes animal welfare seriously. After all, we were the first country in the world to introduce laws to safeguard animal welfare.”
The new laws (Animal Welfare Bill) provide powers to courts, police and officials to deal strictly and quickly with people who mistreat animals. It aims to double present maximum jail sentences for cruelty and quadruples maximum fines from £5,000 to £20,000.
The Bill also introduces licenses for animal sanctuaries and stops children under 16 from buying pets without adult supervision. And quality of animal inspections will be enhanced – for instance, a cattery will receive inspection teams which must include a qualified vet.
Recent improvements in animal welfare since 1997 include banning fur farming in the UK, an end to testing cosmetics on animals, introducing a pet passport scheme for Europe and (so far) 29 long haul countries and increasing penalties for wildlife trade crime from 3 to 5 years.
Mrs Follett added ““For many of us, pets become our best friends and part of the family – they are vulnerable and rely on us to make their lives happy. But some animal owners treat their pets miserably and I’m glad to say that the days of such people escaping the full force of the law are well and truly numbered.”
Picture attached shows Barbara with her two dogs, Custard and Bess
Issued: 26.07.04
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