16
Rejected
Local authorities face constraints in consistently enforcing animal welfare legislation due to inadequate resources.
Conclusion
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 enforcement activities that protect animal welfare. The ability of local authorities to perform key regulatory activities is constrained by a lack of specialist knowledge and training, and inadequate funding and resourcing. This results in an inconsistent approach nationally, and a postcode lottery in terms of levels of understanding and prioritisation of animal welfare issues. If enforcers are unable to meet their statutory duties under LAIA regulations, perpetrators may become emboldened to flout them.
Government Response Summary
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.
Paragraph Reference
71
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government takes biosecurity seriously. We have no plans to introduce these requirements at this time. The British Isles (GB and Ireland) have been rabies free since the disease was eradicated in terrestrial animals in 1922. The last human case acquired in the UK was in 1902. The risk of a human case of rabies in this country is assessed currently as ‘very low’. We already have strict import requirements in relation to rabies for dogs, cats and ferrets. The current commercial and non-commercial requirements for the movement of a pet animal into Great Britain (from the EU or a listed country) creates an unofficial minimum age requirement because it is not possible for a pet animal under the age of 15 weeks to be compliant with the legal requirements for rabies (vaccination at twelve weeks plus a twenty-one day wait period). For unlisted countries, a positive serology test for rabies antibodies and 3-month wait after primary vaccination is also required for any dog, cat or ferret. Disease risk is monitored carefully and is kept under constant review. Our future policy will be guided by risk assessment. As referenced above, we have committed to end puppy smuggling in our manifesto and we are considering the most effective ways to deliver our commitments and will be setting out our next steps in due course.
Source
Inquiry
Pet welfare and abuse
Report
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
05 Apr 2024
HC 161
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.2 yrs
Report published
05 Apr 2024