New laws to prevent animal cruelty
Animal
cruelty offences against pets will carry a six month jail term and fine
of up to £5,000, under new welfare legislation. The bill also contains
a wide range of measures designed to tackle cruelty and neglect - while
boosting the prevention of disease.
“A lot of constituents have written to me in recent months with their concerns for pets and other animals,” said Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, “so I am pleased to report that the Animal Health and Welfare Bill will protect our pets and other animals and help to bring an end to cruelty and suffering,
“For the first time owners will be required by law to care for their animals properly and where they do not animals can be taken into care before they begin to suffer and not when it is too late. The Bill will increase the age for buying a pet from 12 to 16, outlaw offering animals as prizes, and make the docking of dogs’ tails a criminal offence. The Bill also extends Executive powers to respond to a fast-spreading animal disease outbreak, and creates offences of arranging an animal fight – even if it does not take place – and causing an animal fight to take place.”
The law bans all mutilations, but allows exceptions to be made. On tail docking, the Minister, Rhona Brankin, said that she did not believe that an exemption should be made for working dogs ... “but, if those who argue for such an exemption are able to present persuasive evidence supporting their case, their evidence will be given full consideration ... I know that there are concerns that dogs working in thick cover or confined spaces will be prone to tail damage. I assure members that I do not want dogs to be injured. If I thought that a comprehensive ban would result in poorer animal welfare standards and cause increased suffering, I would not support it, but I do not think that a ban will do that. I appreciate that there are difficulties in collecting evidence ... but there is currently no convincing evidence that prophylactic docking in working dogs reduces tail injuries. Such evidence may come to light before the regulations that provide exemptions under section 18 are framed. If it is robust veterinary evidence, we will listen to it with interest.”
photo attached shows Cathy with Penny Johnston of the SPCA and Dina the Alsation