Fund a new government-backed animal cruelty policing unit

Fund a government-backed Animal Cruelty Policing Unit that has legal authority to seize animals, enforce fines and force entry in cases where there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence against a protected animal has occurred under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Animal welfare charities, such as the RSPCA, have no legal powers to seize animals or force entry into properties, and we believe the police seldom act on cruelty cases due to being a low priority for them. This dedicated unit could effectively bridge the gap between animal welfare charities and the police by enforcing welfare laws without burdening police forces.

We do not support the proposal to establish a new government funded Animal Cruelty Policing Unit. Establishing a new organisation or repurposing an existing organisation would be costly and complex, without clear evidence that it would improve enforcement outcomes. As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy for England,(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england) the Government’s focus is on improving compliance and enforcement outcomes to support high welfare, rather than on changing governance.

The Government encourages intelligence sharing through established groups, such as the National Animal Health and Welfare Panel, and will continue to work with the sector to drive up animal welfare standards.

The existing legislative framework already provides robust powers for investigating and responding to animal welfare concerns. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, local authorities, the police and the Animal & Plant Health Agency have clear authority to investigate cruelty allegations, enter premises and take necessary enforcement action. Section 18 of the Act enables inspectors or police officers to seize an animal if a veterinary surgeon certifies that it is suffering or likely to suffer and allows them to act without certification where delay would risk further harm. They may also take immediate steps to alleviate suffering, including arranging urgent veterinary treatment, and can apply to the courts for further orders where needed.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 amended the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. Anyone who is cruel to an animal faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both. Following a conviction for animal cruelty or welfare offences, the court may also ban the offender from keeping certain types of animal and order that their animals are removed from them.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs