Children under 16 could be barred from buying pets under plans for a major shake-up in animal welfare laws.

The measures, which may also include the licensing of animal sanctuaries, are designed to make owners legally-bound to look after their pets properly.

It won't give your cat the right to sue if it doesn't get ten meals a day and a comfy chair

Elliot Morley

Animal Welfare Minister Elliot Morley said the new Bill would cover the welfare of all farmed, wild or exotic animals in captivity as well as domestic pets and those used in entertainment and sport.

It could also end practices such as tail-docking.

The proposals will go out for further consultation, but could become law within two years.

Every year the RSPCA investigates more than 100,000 cases of animal cruelty, but relatively few of these end up as prosecutions.

Complaints

Last year, there were around 2,449 convictions but many thousands more cases of neglect go unsolved because RSPCA officers are currently unable to probe them, because their hands are tied legally.

Morley - the new Bill must be "robust"

Mr Morley said there had been complaints from the public over the care and treatment of circus animals.

He said farm animal welfare also required attention in some areas.

Denying that the plans amounted to an "animal rights bill", Mr Morley said: "It won't give your cat the right to sue if it doesn't get ten meals a day and a comfy chair."

Under current laws, children aged 12 can buy pets and Mr Morley said it was an area which needed examination.

Animal cruelty - the facts:

The RSPCA investigates 100,000 cases of cruelty every year Of those, 2449 result in convictions 871 involve cruelty to dogs 289 involve cats

Mr Morley said "Many pet shop owners already don't sell animals to unaccompanied youngsters but this is an area we need to look at."

The bill would maintain the present ban on cruelty but would add a statutory duty to promote the welfare of animals kept by humans.

Powers to make regulations to ban mutilations of animals such as the docking of dogs tails would be included.

Mr Morley added: "We are publishing a review of the scientific and veterinary aspects of tail docking in dogs.

"The conclusions indicate that, with the exception of a few specific health reasons, tail docking in dogs has no real benefits for the welfare of the animal.

Neglect

"Under the new proposed bill, I do not believe there will be any place for docking of dogs' tails for cosmetic reasons. there may be some occasions when tail docking may be necessary for welfare reasons and these should be considered on a case by case basis."

Mr Morley added: "We recognise that few people are intentionally cruel to animals but rather more neglect welfare by failing to understand animals' needs.

"Raising the age at which children can buy pets unaccompanied by an adult and the licensing of animal sanctuaries are two examples of useful steps, so that those responsible for animals are full aware of what they are taking on."

A 16-week public consultation on animal welfare legislation was launched in January by the Department For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It generated nearly 2,500 responses from individuals and groups.

Defra has vowed to take all views into account in the drafting of the Bill.