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 17 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
28 Nov
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
18 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2023
Correspondence
18 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
17 Oct
2023
Oral evidence
17 Oct
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
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 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
10 results
Clear
3 Conclusion Rejected
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
Government Response
The government partially accepted the concern but argued against specific measures like listing breeds for whom a licence would not be issued, citing potential unintended consequences. It suggested considering work towards high-welfare and high-health outcomes instead of introducing additional guidance, effectively rejecting specific new stringent safeguards.
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7 Conclusion Rejected
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
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, arguing that existing penalties under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 for illegal veterinary practices are already higher than suggested and provide a suitable deterrent, with unlimited fines and potential imprisonment.
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10 Recommendation Rejected
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
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that existing penalties for illegal veterinary surgery are already unlimited on summary conviction in England and Wales, and higher than implied elsewhere, thus making the suggested change unnecessary. The request for guidance was not addressed.
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15 Conclusion Rejected
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
Government Response
The government stated it would not seek to make changes regarding local authority funding and capacity for seized dogs at this time, instead focusing its response on existing biosecurity measures and disease risk monitoring.
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16 Conclusion Rejected
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
Government Response
The government stated it has no plans to introduce the recommended requirements for improved local authority enforcement and resourcing at this time, instead detailing existing strict import requirements related to rabies prevention.
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17 Conclusion Rejected
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
Government Response
The government stated it has no plans to implement a more consistent approach to animal welfare officer training or establish a central unit at this time, instead focusing on existing tapeworm treatment policies and tick surveillance.
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22 Recommendation Rejected
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
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to mandate pre-import screening, stating it will not seek to make this change at this time. It notes existing powers to introduce measures if necessary and advises prospective owners to ensure dogs are tested before import.
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23 Recommendation Rejected
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
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to introduce a rabies blood test requirement and increase the post-vaccination waiting period, stating it has no plans for these changes due to the current low rabies risk and existing strict import requirements. It mentions a separate commitment to end puppy smuggling, with next steps to be set out.
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24 Recommendation Rejected
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
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to shorten the tapeworm treatment window, introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for cats, and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments, stating they have no plans for these changes at this time, but will continue to review the policy.
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26 Recommendation Rejected
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.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the concern but rejects the recommendation, stating they have no current plans to change border enforcement arrangements and detailing existing rigorous pet travel checking regimes by authorised pet checkers and agencies.
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Government Response AI assessment · 28 of 16 classified
Accepted 3
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 8
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 10
Total 16 recs + 12 conclusions
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