Animal Welfare Act 2006
is enforced by Local councils, animal health officers and the police . If you are cruel to an animal or don’t provide for its welfare needs, you may be banned from owning animals. Or, you could be fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison for up to six months.
Welfare needs under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 include:
- has a proper diet, including fresh water
- has somewhere suitable to live
- is kept with or away from other animals, depending on its needs
- is allowed to express itself and behave normally
- is protected from, and treated for, illness and injury
The Act also says that you must be over 16 years old to buy an animal.
