NEWS

Animal Welfare Bill outlined
By Steven Moore

The same responsibilities currently in place for the care and well-being of farm animals is to be extended to all owners of domestic or cared for animals.
The Animal Welfare Bill will replace the existing Welfare of Animals Act of 1972 and will apply to all domestic pets, animals under the control of man or otherwise not in a wild state.
Whereas the previous legislation primarily applied to agricultural animals and pet shops, the new provisions on care of animals will extend to dog breeding, greyhound tracks, animal sanctuaries and circuses.
It will bar under-16s from owning an animal - with that responsibility resting with the parents - though children will be free to care for the family pet.
Under the Bill, it will be an offence to give away animals, such as goldfish, as prizes.
It will also make it illegal to dock a dog's tail, with no exceptions for working dogs - a provision that caused some criticism when it came before the Stormont Agriculture Committee on Tuesday at the beginning of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill.
The new Bill not only gives greater powers to deal with cases of neglect or cruelty to animals but also strengthens the authorities hand when enforcing a duty of care on owners or moving to correct a situation that may lead to animal suffering in the future.
Police are to be given greater powers and other agencies may also be involved - though officials were unable to spell out at this stage the extent of the role that local authorities may play.

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