December 14, 2023

UK authorities empowered to issue US$6,300 penalties for animal welfare offenses

In a move to bolster animal health and welfare protections, United Kingdom local authorities are now empowered to issue penalty notices of up to GBP 5,000 (US$6,300) as part of new legislation introduced under the Animals (Penalty Notices) Act, with the secondary legislation laid on 11 December, Vet Times reported.

After a public consultation that gained support from over 85% of respondents, the penalty notices are set to be effective starting January 1, 2024. These notices will complement existing enforcement measures, including warning letters, statutory notices, or movement restrictions.

Penalty notices may be issued for various offenses, such as maintaining animals in substandard conditions, repeated overdue bovine TB testing, violation of avian influenza housing orders, and operating as animal breeders without a license.

Although advice and guidance will remain the primary enforcement tools, the intention is for penalty notices to act as a deterrent, offering additional protection to animals when advice proves ineffective.

Under the new legislation, individuals will have the opportunity to discharge liability from prosecution for an alleged criminal offense by paying a fee and rectifying the identified issue.

-      Vet Times