Animal Welfare Legislation: Key Terms, Policies, and Enforcement in the UK

Sentience

the ability to feel, perceive, or be conscious of emotions and physical sensations, both positive and negative, like pain, pleasure, fear, and comfort.

Euthanasia

painless killing of an animal to relieve it from otherwise incurable suffering or distress.

Culling

the selective removal of animals from a population, often by lethal means, to manage their numbers, health, or genetic quality.

Killing

the act of ending an animal's life for human purposes.

Prevention of harm

It is a criminal offence to allow an animal protected by legislation to suffer unnecessarily.

Duty of care

The legal responsibility of those who own/keep animals to ensure the welfare of the animals they look after.

An act of his

Something done that has legal significance, usually a criminal act.

Failure of his to act

A person not doing something that is their legal responsibility.

Government

Team of ministers and peers led by the prime minister. Responsible for running the country developing policy and drafting new laws.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

the main department responsible for animal welfare legislation in UK.

Bills

proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones.

Royal Assent

Once agreed by Parliament, they have to be approved by Royal Assent before becoming law.

Parliament

All the MPs in House of Commons and the peers in the House of Lords. Responsible for passing new laws and monitoring the work of government.

Animal Welfare Sentencing Bill

Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2019.

Local authority

Local government, with many responsibilities, including law enforcement.

Penalties for animal welfare violations

A ban on owning animals (period of time or permanent), a fine, community service/unpaid work, imprisonment (maximum 5 years - increased from 6 months with new legislation).

Enforcement of animal welfare legislation

Police, officers of local authorities, certain animal welfare organisations e.g. RSPCA inspectors.

RSPCA inspector

A role that involves enforcing animal welfare legislation.

Animal welfare officer (council)

A role that involves enforcing animal welfare legislation.

Dog warden (council)

A role that involves enforcing animal welfare legislation.

Wildlife crime officer (police)

A role that involves enforcing animal welfare legislation.