Draft animal welfare law to be reviewed by panel

Proposed changes to an animal welfare law are to be reviewed, the States has said.

The Environment Scrutiny Panel is set to review draft updates to laws for protecting animal welfare including new powers for licensing, enforcement and standards of care.

On 26 November politicians voted to introduce restrictions and controls for dogs classified as dangerous.

The scrutiny panel said it would examine how Jersey regulates the control of pets and livestock in public spaces to identify gaps, overlaps and areas where responsibilities between agencies were unclear.

Panel chairwoman deputy Hilary Jeune said the proposals had been made to aid the shift from a reactive enforcement model towards a proactive, prevention-based system.

"We want to ensure that it is set up to achieve those aims, but at the same time look at the wider picture of animal welfare and control," she said.

Jeune said the legislation would affect everyone, from animal owners, to those who work with animals, to anyone who comes into contact with an animal.

She said it was important to establish "a modern effective system that provides clarity for everyone and flexibility to address concerns".

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