Pet welfare and abuse

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 3 Feb 2023 Closed: 23 May 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry is considering the post-pandemic health and welfare concerns of companion animals, including abuse and mutilation. Read the call for evidence Our call for evidence closed on 14 April 2023.
16 Recommendations
12 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
20 Dec
2024
Report published
30 Apr
2024
Correspondence
25 Apr
2024
Correspondence
5 Apr
2024
Report published
14 Dec
2023
Correspondence
28 Nov
2023
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2023
Correspondence
17 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
5 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
4 Jul
2023
Oral evidence
29 Mar
2023
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
28 Nov 2023
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Marc Casale · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs The Rt Hon Lord Benyon · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
18 Oct 2023
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Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee
David Martin · Featured Artists Coalition Dr Lawrence Newport · Royal Holloway University of London Dr Samantha Gaines · RSPCA James McNally · Slee Blackwell Solicitors
17 Oct 2023
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Environment, food and Rural Affairs; Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee
David Holdsworth · Animal and Plant Health Agency Gavin Stedman · Heathrow Animal Reception Centre John Keefe · Getlink (Eurotunnel) Nicola Hirst · Animal and Plant Health Agency Steve Lawrie · Brittany Ferries Tim Reardon · Port of Dover
5 Sep 2023
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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Oral evidence
Alexandra Baker · Pet Industry Federation Bill Lambert · The Kennel Club Dr Gudrun Ravetz · Pets at Home Dr Samantha Gaines · RSPCA Marisa Heath · Local Government and Animal Welfare Group Pip Griffin · Worcestershire Regulatory Services
4 Jul 2023
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Oral evidence
Becky Thwaites · Blue Cross Dr Justine Shotton · British Veterinary Association Dr Maggie Roberts · Cats Protection Dr Melisa Donald · Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Dr Paula Boyden · Dogs Trust Dr Sean Wensley · PDSA Jessica Stark · World Horse Welfare Sarah Carr · Naturewatch Foundation
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse HC 161 5 Apr 2024 28 Response document linked
Recommendations & Conclusions
28 results
1 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Withdrawal of Kept Animals Bill stalled welfare progress, PMB reliance is risky strategy.
The Government’s withdrawal of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill introduced in 2021, has stalled progress on key animal welfare issues. These delays have allowed the continuation of poor animal welfare practices. The then Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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2 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Mandate DEFRA to enact all provisions from the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
In order to implement much-needed robust animal welfare safeguards, the Department must ensure that every provision from the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is brought into force during the current Parliament. (Paragraph 8) Pet Breeding
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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3 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Insufficient traceability of unlicensed dog breeders enables widespread low welfare practices.
It is estimated that less than half of puppies entering the market are from licensed breeders. Many breeders will be unlicensed because they fall below the three-litter threshold specified under LAIA regulations, effectively making them untraceable. The lack of traceability … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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4 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Introduce lower dog breeding litter threshold and publicly available licensed seller list.
The litter licensing threshold for dog breeding should be reduced from three to two per 12-month period. A list of all licensed sellers should be publicly available, which would allow for verification and provide assurance to buyers. Care should be … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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5 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Publish clearer guidance for local authorities on prohibited dog breeding under LAIA regulations.
The Government should produce clearer guidance for local authority enforcers regarding Section six of LAIA regulations, which prohibit the breeding of dogs where there are reasonable expectations that their genetics or health would lead to welfare problems. This guidance should … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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6 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Extend LAIA legislative safeguards and regulations to cover cat breeding activities.
There are currently few legal safeguards to protect cats and their kittens, as cat breeding is not a licensable activity. Cat breeding should be awarded the same legislative safeguards and regulations as dog breeding under LAIA regulations. (Paragraph 31) Pet … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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7 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Review puppy yoga welfare concerns with sector organisations for stronger regulations or ban.
There are significant welfare concerns over the ‘puppy yoga’ trend, which involves the use of underage and potentially unvaccinated puppies in a setting that may be highly detrimental to their health and wellbeing. The Department should work with sector organisations … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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8 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Rapid rise in unregulated Canine Fertility Clinics raises significant welfare and enforcement concerns.
The rise in Canine Fertility Clinics, from 37 in 2020 to over 400 in 2023, is of significant concern. Many are likely being operated without veterinary involvement, with invasive procedures classed as acts of veterinary surgery being performed unlawfully by … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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9 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Introduce new Veterinary Surgeons Act to update outdated 1966 legislation.
The Government should introduce a new Veterinary Surgeons Act to update that of
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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10 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Increase fines for illegal veterinary surgery and issue guidance on reporting concerns.
The current £100 fine on summary conviction for performing acts of veterinary surgery illegally is a derisory deterrent and is well below the cost of most, if not all, veterinary procedures. The Government should bring the fine for individuals illegally … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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11 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Introduce public campaign raising awareness of designer pet welfare issues and harms.
The Government should work with the sector to formulate and introduce a public information campaign to raise awareness around welfare issues and harms of so- called ‘designer’ pets, particularly brachycephalic breeds, with the aim of discouraging acquisition of these breeds. Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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12 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Bring stud dogs under Licensing of Activities Involving Animals regulations for welfare.
Stud dogs should be brought within Licensing of Activities Involving Animals regulations. The inclusion of stud dogs would help give traceability and ensure welfare measures apply to male dogs kept for breeding, who otherwise fall outside the scope of the … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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13 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Introduce urgent legislation to close loophole allowing importation of mutilated animals.
Ear cropping, cosmetic tail docking and cat declawing are ethically abhorrent procedures which are likely to have lasting welfare implications for the animals involved. The Government must give priority to closing the loophole that enables the importation of mutilated animals. … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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14 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Legislate to restrict possession, sale, and supply of DIY ear cropping kits.
It is all too easy to purchase DIY ear cropping kits online. This allows unscrupulous individuals to carry out this act of mutilation. Alongside closing the importation loophole, the Government should legislate to restrict the possession, hosting, sale and supply … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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15 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Local authority funding and capacity issues hinder animal welfare enforcement, causing euthanasia of seized dogs.
The financial situation faced by local authorities is affecting their ability to undertake activities including inspections, kennelling, investigations and enforcement. At the same time, the number of dogs from low welfare or illegal breeding establishments seized via local authority enforcement … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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16 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Local authorities face constraints in consistently enforcing animal welfare legislation due to inadequate resources.
Animal welfare legislation must be consistently and robustly enforced if it is to achieve its statutory objectives and act as a deterrent to unscrupulous breeders seeking to circumvent the law. Local authorities play a vital role in the licensing and … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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17 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Establish a central unit of suitably trained animal welfare inspectors for local authority use.
A more consistent approach to training and accreditation for animal welfare officers is needed. Existing variations in training and enforcement puts animal welfare at risk. A central unit of suitably trained inspectors should be established which can be utilised by … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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18 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Assess existing kennel space for seized dogs and implement measures to increase capacity.
The Department should work with local authorities to assess the adequacy of existing kennel space capacity for seized dogs and implement measures to increase capacity if needed. (Paragraph 73) Pet importation — incidence and smuggling
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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19 Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Facilitate swift passage of Private Members' bills banning import of young puppies and pregnant dogs.
The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill proposed a series of measures including a ban on the import of young puppies and heavily pregnant dogs. These would significantly enhance protections for pets, and there is considerable sector and public support for … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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20 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Implement specific measures limiting pet imports and banning puppies, kittens, and late-term pregnant animals.
As soon as possible, and certainly by the end of the current Parliament, the Government must ensure the following measures are implemented: • A limit on the number of dogs, cats and ferrets that can be imported by an individual … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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21 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Illegally imported and rehomed stray dogs pose significant biosecurity risks for pets and humans.
The movement of illegally imported dogs into the UK, and the importation of stray dogs for rehoming, pose considerable biosecurity risks for both pets and humans. Diseases such as rabies, leishmaniasis and Brucella canis may be imported into the UK … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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22 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Mandate pre-import screening and testing for dogs from countries with endemic diseases.
The Government should mandate pre-import screening measures to control and restrict the movement of dogs from countries which have endemic diseases, such as Brucella canis and leishmaniasis, that are not present in the UK. Accordingly, all imported dogs from these … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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23 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Introduce mandatory rabies blood tests for imported dogs and extend vaccination waiting period.
The Government should introduce a requirement for a rabies blood (titre) test by a veterinary professional before a dog enters the UK. The post-rabies vaccination waiting period should be increased from three to 12 weeks. This would help mitigate the … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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24 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Shorten tapeworm treatment window, mandate cat treatment, and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments for pets.
The Government should shorten the tapeworm treatment window from 24–120 hours to 24–48 hours; introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for imported cats as well as dogs; and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments for all non-commercial movements of cats and dogs. (Paragraph 96) … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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25 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Concerns exist regarding carriers' conflict of interest in pet import checks and system robustness.
Carriers play a key role in the pet importation and checking process. It is likely that there is a conflict of interest inherent in the requirement for carriers to conduct checks on their customers’ pets. It is not evident that … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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26 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Move responsibility for border pet checks to Government professionals with 24/7 port staffing.
Responsibility for border pet checks should be moved from carriers to qualified Government agency professionals. This should include a requirement for permanent 24/7 staffing cover at ports of entry.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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27 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Lax border controls facilitate fraudulent equine trade for European slaughterhouses.
We welcome the introduction of new legislation to ban the export of live animals, including cattle, sheep and horses, for slaughter and fattening. There is a low risk and high reward element to the equine trade, with unscrupulous individuals taking … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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28 Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and ab…
Implement enhanced digital equine identification measures to prevent trafficking of horses for slaughter.
Alongside the ongoing Animal Welfare (Live Exports) Bill, stronger control measures are needed to prevent the trafficking of horses for slaughter. By the end of the current Parliament, the Government should ensure it has implemented measures to enhance and support … Read more
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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Correspondence 5 letters
30 Apr 2024 Correspondence from Lord Benyon regarding corrections to the Pet welfare and abuse evidence session, dated 23 April 2024
Parliament page
25 Apr 2024 Lord Douglas-Miller, Minister for Biosecurity, Animal Health and Welfare, regarding the Border Target Operating Model, dated 16 April 2024
Parliament page
14 Dec 2023 Correspondence to Rt Hon Lord Benyon MP regarding the Government’s ban on XL Bully dogs, dated 14 December 2023
Parliament page
18 Oct 2023 Correspondence from the Chief Veterinary Officer of Pets at Home following her appearance before the Committee, dated 19 September 2023
Parliament page
29 Mar 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries to the Committee regarding data publication exemptions for certain Animal Health and Welfare Pathway financial assistance schemes, dated 23 March 2023
Parliament page