Strengthen the Animal Welfare Act 2006

Amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to include the following policies:

-Registered Breeder Index -Canine Competency Certificate -Cruelty Policing Unit -Harsher criminal penalties

We believe there is an animal welfare crisis and that these policies could address it.

We think that since the introduction of the XL Bully ban there has been an increase of neglect, cruelty and abandonment cases to all dogs around the UK.

We think that police officers do not have the time/resources to combat this and believe the RSPCA do not have sufficient legal powers to investigate or prosecute therefore a vicious circle occurs, animals suffer, perpetrators can escape justice and rescues pick up the damage in a never ending battle.

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) provides comprehensive powers to tackle animal welfare offences.

Regarding the suggestion of a registered breeder index, the Government committed to ending puppy farming in its manifesto. DEFRA is considering the most effective way to deliver this and will be setting out next steps in due course.

More widely on dog breeding, under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations), anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs and/or who breeds three or more litters in a 12-month period needs to have a valid licence from their local authority. Licensees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards, which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse, vary or revoke licences. DEFRA has completed a post-implementation review of the 2018 Regulations in line with the requirements of the Regulations’ review clause. The report into the review can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/486/impacts. The Government is considering the report’s findings and will be outlining more detail on next steps in due course.

On the suggested creation of a canine competency certificate, the Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce, which will explore how education and training (for dogs and owners) can promote more responsible dog ownership. The taskforce will also provide recommendations on enforcement and data collection.

Regarding policing and enforcement, the 2006 Act grants powers to local authorities, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the police to investigate allegations of animal cruelty or poor welfare. Where animal welfare offences have occurred, the 2006 Act makes various enforcement options available, ranging from guidance, warning letters and improvement notices to regulatory actions, and prosecution. Local authorities will often work in close partnership with others, including animal welfare charities, such as the RSPCA, to protect the welfare of animals. Local authorities must be allowed to decide how to enforce the 2006 Act based on local priorities and resources.