Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 lies at the heart of the protection of animal welfare in England and Wales.

Under section 9 of the Act, all persons responsible for an animal, including a horse, must ensure that the following basic needs are met:

  • i. A suitable environment
  • ii. A suitable diet
  • iii. Ability to express normal behaviour
  • iv. To be housed with or apart from other animals as appropriate
  • v. To be protected from pain, injury and disease

The Act does not compel owners to provide the highest level of care but rather the minimum in order to ensure that welfare is met. The Act enables action to be taken, usually by charities, when standards fall below those required by the Act.

Here to help

Our specialist teams can provide full service legal advice and assistance, providing practical and cost-effective solutions.

Our offices

Bournemouth
302 Charminster Road Bournemouth Dorset BH8 9RU
01202 525333 Contact
London
Office 320 107 – 111 Fleet Street London EC4A 2AB
02039 784720 Contact
Poole
14a Haven RoadCanford Cliffs, Poole Dorset BH13 7LP
01202 709898 Contact
Ringwood
Monmouth Court Southampton Road, Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1HE
01425 484848 Contact
Swanage
55 High Street Swanage Dorset BH19 2LT
01929 422233 Contact
Wimborne
39a East Street Wimborne Dorset BH21 1DX
01202 057676 Contact