In the upcoming month, new regulations will be enforced to protect animals and impose stricter penalties on individuals engaging in animal abuse in UK. The Animal Welfare Act will require owners of dogs, cats, and other pets to ensure their welfare, going beyond previous provisions that focused solely on animal treatment. Clare Barer, Minister of the Department of Environment, Food, and Agriculture, stated that the new rules will significantly enhance animal welfare on Northern Ireland. During the parliamentary session in May, lawmakers approved the regulations outlining the department's approach to handling animal welfare complaints.
According to the newly enforced regulations, unresolved grievances must be deleted from records after six months, while addressed complaints will be kept on file for three years. Conversely, baseless complaints are required to be expunged within one week. Apart from the responsibility placed on pet owners for their animals' well-being, the updated regulations empower authorities to prosecute individuals who fail in their duty of care and publish multiple animal welfare guidelines. Amy Beckett, the chief veterinary officer, emphasized that pet owners can ensure proper care for their animals by following these guidelines, which encompass valuable information on providing a suitable living environment, an appropriate diet, and effective methods to prevent pain, injury, and disease.
Nevertheless, the Wildlife Act of 1990 and the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1997 remain in effect to safeguard wild and feral animals. The recent amendments to the latter law have increased the maximum penalties for acts of animal cruelty to up to five years of imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or a combination of both.