The UK government has publicly stated that animals are sentient beings, not merely commodities; and has confirmed its commitment to the highest possible standards of animal welfare.
Animal welfare legislation
Welfare law in the UK
Animal welfare law in the UK
The United Kingdom was the first country in the world to implement laws protecting animals. In 1822 an Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle was passed by Parliament.
The UK government has publicly stated that animals are sentient beings, not merely commodities, and has confirmed its commitment to the highest possible standards of animal welfare.
The first general animal protection law, called the Protection of Animals Act, was introduced in 1911 and updated several times since.
The Animal Welfare Act, an overhaul of pet abuse laws replacing the Protection of Animals Act, came into force in England and Wales in 2007.
Read more about the Animal Welfare Act here.
Previous laws
Even before the Welfare Act, UK law made it illegal to:
- cruelly beat, kick, ill-treat, over-drive, over-load, torture, infuriate, or terrify any animal
- cause unnecessary suffering through transportation
- take part in the fighting or baiting of an animal
- administer poisonous or injurious substances without good reason
- permit operations to be carried out without due care and humanity
- cause unnecessary suffering to an animal that is being destroyed to provide food for mankind
- course and hunt a captive animal that is liberated in an injured, mutilated or exhausted condition, or course and hunt a captive animal in an enclosed space from which it has no reasonable chance of escape
There are certain exceptions for animals involved in legal scientific procedures.
Other laws which protect animals in the UK include:
- The Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
- The Pet Animals Act 1951 (amended 1983)
- Cock fighting Act 1952
- Abandonment of Animals Act 1960
- Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
- Riding Establishments Act 1964 and 1970
- The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
- The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
- The Zoo Licensing Act 1981
- The Breeding of Dogs Act 199I
- The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
- Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 and the Farriers (Registration) (Amendment) Act 1977
- Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988
Farm animals
Farm animals are included under the Animal Welfare Act and, more specifically, the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007.
Welfare codes have been created for most animals that are farmed commercially in the UK. These can be downloaded from the DEFRA website.
European law
Animal welfare law in Europe
Animal welfare is not a high priority in pan-Europe legislation.
The Treaty of Amsterdam which came into force on 1 May 1999 includes a protocol on animal welfare designed to "ensure improved protection and respect for the welfare of animals as sentient beings":
In formulating and implementing the Community's agricultural, transport, internal market and research policies, the Community and the Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.
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