Page last updated at 11:19 GMT, Wednesday, November 16 2011
Animals and the Law
The law that protects pets has changed. If you keep pets,
or are thinking of getting a pet, you will have a legal
responsibility to meet their welfare needs.
The Animal
Welfare Act 2006 requires anyone who is responsible for a
pet to do what is reasonable to meet their welfare needs:-
- A proper diet (including water)
- Somewhere suitable to live
- Any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
- Allowing animals to express normal behaviour
- Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
The penalty for failing to care for a pet could be a fine or
even a prison sentence.
Find out about caring for pets and learn more about the Animal
Welfare Act 2006 at www.rspca.org.uk/petcare
or telephone the RSPCA on their advice line - 0300 1234
555.
You can report animal cruelty to the RSPCA on their emergency number 0300
1234 999.
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