Legislation

What year is The Veterinary Surgeon Act?

1966

What is The Veterinary Surgeon Act?

An act to make fresh provision for the management of the veterinary profession

What comes under The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966?

• Continued Professional Development

• Code of conduct

• The procedures that RVNs and SVNs can undertake (Schedule 3)

What is The RCVS Code of Professional Conduct?

A document setting out Veterinary Professionals professional responsibilities

What is the purpose of DEFRA?

To work with others to ensure polices and legislation are heeded

What year is The Animal Welfare Act?

2006

What year is The Animal Welfare (sentencing) Act?

2021

What is an offence in The Animal Welfare Act?

• Inducing suffering in animals

• Poisoning an animal

• Participating in animal fighting

• Not meeting the 5 welfare needs of animals

• Owning an animal under the age of 16

• Mutilating animals

What are the 5 welfare needs of animals?

• The need for a suitable, species specific environment

• The need for a suitable, species specific diet, including water

• The need to be able to perform natural behaviour exhibited by the species

• The need for companionship or lack thereof depending on the needs of the species

• The need for access to appropriate healthcare, handling and medication

What is legal for an inspector or constable under The Animal Welfare Act?

When an animal is deemed under distress they can:

• Enter premises

• Alleviate suffering

• Take possession

• Initiate humane destruction

What court powers in relation to possessed animals come under The Animal Welfare Act?

• Specified treatment can be administered

• Possession can be given to a specified person

• The animal can be sold

• Humane destruction can be initiated

What is included in The Animal Welfare (sentencing) Act?

Increased the maximum sentence for offences under the 2006 act from 6 months to 5 years

What is the maximum fine for offences under The Animal Welfare Act?

Up to £20,000 and in some cases, unlimited

What is the maximum prison sentence for offences under The Animal Welfare Act?

Up to 5 years

What is the maximum ban for offences under The Animal Welfare Act?

Lifetime

What are the most common forms of animal mutilation?

• Tail docking

• Ear cropping

In which situation is it legal to mutilate an animal?

In working breeds with a certificate from a veterinary professional

What year is The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations?

2018

Which 6 acts are consolidated under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations

• Pet Animals Act 1951

• Animal Boarding establishments Act 1963

• Breeding of Dogs Act 1991

• Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1991

• Riding establishments Act 1964

• Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925

What does The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations enforce?

Anybody doing the activities listed under the act, need a license which lasts 3 years before needing to be revalidated

What comes under Pet Animals Act 1951?

Requires any person keeping a pet shop to be licensed by the local council

What 7 requirements must pet shops meet under the Pet Animals Act 1951?

• Comfortable environment

• Suitable dietary provisions

• Ethically sourced

• Not over populated

• Providing knowledge and background checks for potential clients

• Disease control

• Fire protocols

What comes under The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963?

Boarding establishments must have a license from local authority

What boarding requirements come under The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963?

• Suitable accommodation

• Suitable food, water, bedding and exercise

• Prevention of the spread of disease

• Protection of all animals against fire

• Register of all animals kept

How many dogs or cats can one person be responsible for under The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963?

• 15 dogs

• 20 cats

What are the requirements for workers under The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963?

• Must have a minimum of level 3 qualification

• At least 1 person on site at all times

• Minimum of one check within the night (6pm-8am)

What comes under The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 2014?

A license is required to:

• Import dogs

• Distribute dogs

• Sell dogs through a business

• Sell dogs through domestic premises

(Does not apply to hobby breeders)

What are breeders responsible for under The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 2014?

• First vaccination

• Microchips

What qualifies somebody as a hobby breeder under The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 2014?

• Any bitch can only breed once within a year

• Cannot profit more than £1000 per litter

What qualifies somewhere as a breeding establishment under The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 2014?

Anywhere that has 3 or more bitches that are being bred

What rules are in place for breeding establishments under The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 2014?

• Bitch can only have 1 litter per 12 month period

• Bitches can only have 4-6 litters before “retiring”

• Bitches can only be bred between ages 18 months and 8 years

• If the bitch has had to have 2 C-sections they must be retired

What is Lucy’s law?

Bans third-party sales of puppies and kittens under 6 months

When was Lucy’s law enforced?

• England - 6/4/2020

• Scotland - 1/9/2021

• Wales - 10/9/2021

What happens if somebody purchases a puppy or kitten but can no longer keep it before the 6 month mark?

It must be returned to the breeder

What comes under Lucy’s law?

• Buying of a puppy/kitten must occur on the breeding premises

• Cannot sell animals under 8 weeks old

• Puppies/kittens must have their first vaccination and a microchip before being sold

What year was The Riding Establishments Act?

1964 - amended in 1970

What businesses come under The Riding Establishments Act 1964?

• Riding schools

• Trekking

• Horse ire

• Pony + donkey rides

• Pony parties (only if they’re being ridden)

What is assessed under The Riding Establishments Act 1964?

• The adequacy of the provision for health, welfare and exercise

• precautions against fire and disease

• Suitability of the horse with regards to the reasons they are being kept

What does public liability insurance cover under The Riding Establishments Act 1964?

Any injury caused to a person by the horse

What rules are in place for the riding of horses under The Riding Establishments Act 1964?

• Cannot be ridden after 6 months pregnant

• Cannot be ridden under the age of 3

What year is The Performing Animals (regulation) Act?

1925

What animals does The Performing Animals (regulation) Act 1925 cover?

• Animals working in film or TV

• Animals in stage performances or circuses

• Does not cover agility courses or show horses

What is The Performing Animals (regulation) Act 1925?

Requires that any facility using animals for performances must have a license from the local authority

Who has power to enter premises under The Performing Animals (regulation) Act 1925?

• Police

• Local council officers

• Veterinary surgeon

What year is The Equine Identification (England) Regulations?

2018

What are The Equine Identification (England) Regulations?

Make it a legal requirement for all horses in England to be identified

What year is The Dangerous Dogs Act?

1991

What is the scoring matrix?

A 1-5 star system to rate businesses

What do the 1-5 star scoring mean on the scoring matrix?

• 1 star

  • 1 year license

  • Minimum 1 unannounced visit within 12 month period

• 2 stars

  • 1 year license

  • Minimum 1 unannounced visit within 12 month period

• 3 stars

  • 2 year license

  • Minimum 1 unannounced visit within 24 month period

• 4 stars

  • 2 year license

  • Minimum 1 unannounced visit within 24 month period

• 5 stars

  • 3 year license

  • Minimum 1 unannounced visit within 36 month period

What businesses are considered high risk on the scoring matrix?

New businesses

What year is The Animal Welfare (Service animals) Act?

2019

What is The Animal Welfare (Service animals) Act 2019 more commonly known as?

Finn’s law

What comes under Finn’s law?

Makes it an offence to harm an animal in self-defense if:

• The animal was under control of an officer

• The animal was being used by said officer in the course of the officers duties

• The officer is not the defender

What 4 things are necessary for pet travel to EU countries and member states?

• Microchip

• Valid rabies vaccination

• Animal health certificate

• Tapeworm treatment

When must an animal have tapeworm treatment before travelling?

• Maximum 5 days

• Minimum 24 hours

When must an animal health certificate be issued before travel?

Within 10 days of travel

How long is an animal health certificate valid for after travelling?

Valid for 4 months or until return to the UK (whichever happens first)

When must a rabies vaccination be issued before travel?

Maximum of 21 days

What are the requirements to travel with a pet within Great Britain?

• Microchipped

• Vaccinated against rabies

• An EU passport

How old must an animal be before they can get vaccinated against rabies?

12 weeks

How many animals can you travel with?

• 4 or less

• 5 or more only for events and proof must be given

How long before you can your pet arrive in the UK?

No more than 5 days

When are blood tests required for travelling from outside of the EU?

• Listed non-EU countries

  • Depends on where from

  • May need a blood test to check for rabies antibodies

• Unlisted non-EU countries

  • Definitely need a blood test to check for rabies antibodies

What are the requirements for travelling with exotics?

• Depends on the animal

• Don’t typically carry harmful diseases

• Still need a health certificate of sorts

What are the regulations surrounding quarantine of pets?

• Required for rabies-susceptible animals

• Only if they don’t qualify for entry under EU pets

• Regulated by DEFRA

• Must quarantine for 4 calendar months

• If an outbreak occurs you must quarantine for 4 more months

What are the 7 requirements for travelling with a horse?

• Export health certificate issued by DEFRA and cosigned by a veterinarian

• Testing for absence of certain diseases

• Horse passport

• DEFRA issued export license

• Equine insurance documents

• Vaccination documents

• Any documents required by the destination country

What quarantine protocols are in place for horses travelling?

• Holding site under veterinary supervision

• Time frame is destination dependent

• Usually 30-90 days

What year is The Animals Act?

1971

What is covered under The Animals Act 1971?

• Covers liability for damage caused by animals

• If an animal worries or injures livestock, the farmer may protect their stock

• If you are the owner of an animal, you are liable for its actions

• When an animal is in a veterinary practice, the practice is liable

When was The Dangerous Dogs Act amended?

1997 and 2023

What dog breeds come under The Dangerous Dogs Act?

• Japanese Tosa

• Dogo Argentino

• Fila Brasilero

• Pit Bull Terrier

• American Bulldog XL (2023)

What are the regulations for owning a dangerous dog breed?

• Must notify the police of ownership

• Certificate of exemption is needed

• Dogs must be covered by 3rd party liability insurance

• Dog must be muzzled and on a lead in public

• Dog must always be accompanied by someone over 16 yrs

• Offence to sell, exchange, give away or abandon the dog

• Offence to breed the dog

What happens if a dangerous dog breed is in a rescue?

It will be euthanised

What year is The Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act?

1986

What is covered under The Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act?

• Regulates the use of animals

• Applies only to vertebrates

• You can only re-use an animal for testing if the procedure is not invasive

What are the 3 licenses needed to test on animals?

• Project license

• Premises license

• Personal license

What are the 3 R’s in regard to animal testing?

• Replacement - Can you use a non-animal test subject

• Reduction - Can you use less animals to test on?

• Refinement - Can you lessen the impact on the animal

What year is The Animal Health Act?

1981

What is the purpose of The Animal Health Act 1981?

To control and prevent the spread of serious animal diseases

What control methods come under The Animal Health Act 1981?

• Curfews for cats

• Muzzles and Leads for dogs

• Bans from certain areas

• Slaughter of contagious animals

What powers do authorities have under The Animal Health Act 1981?

• Powers of entry

• Removal of animals

• Euthanasia of animals