Act of Parliament | |
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Long title | An Act to make provision about animal welfare; and for connected purposes. |
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Citation | 2006 c. 45 |
Territorial extent | England and Wales [b] |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 8 November 2006 |
Commencement | 8 November 2006 and onwards [c] |
Other legislation | |
Amends | |
Repeals/revokes |
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Relates to | Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 |
Status: Current legislation | |
History of passage through Parliament | |
Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Revised text of statute as amended |
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (c. 45) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. [1]
It is the first signing of pet law since the Protection of Animals Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 27), which it largely replaced. [2] It also superseded and consolidated more than 20 other pieces of legislation, such as the Protection of Animals Act 1934 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. [2] [3] The act introduced the new welfare offence. [2]
This means that animal owners have a positive duty of care. [4] The act outlaws owners neglecting to provide for the basic needs of their animals, including access to adequate nutrition and veterinary care. [4]
It outlaws tail docking of dogs for cosmetic reasons, with an exemption for "working" dogs, such as those used by the police, the armed forces or as service dogs. [5]
The act also has an offence to remove the scent glands of skunks kept as pets. [6]