Pets on domestic premises
In all cases of suspected cruelty relating to pet animals in domestic premises, contact the RSPCA.
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Reporting animals in distress - RSPCA website
Pet shops, kennels etc
In cases relating to pet shops, licensed kennels, equine establishments and farm animals, contact the Animal Welfare Team.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006
It is law that anyone who is responsible for an animal has a Duty of Care to take reasonable steps to ensure that the animal's needs are met.
"Duty of care" is a legal phrase which means that someone has an obligation to do something.
The Act imposes a broad duty of care on anyone responsible for an animal to take reasonable steps to ensure that the animal's needs are met.
This means that a person has to look after the animal's welfare and ensure that it does not suffer.
The Act states that an animal's welfare needs include:
- A suitable environment
- A suitable diet
- The ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- Any need it has to be housed with or housed apart from other animals
- Protection from pain, suffering, injury or disease
The Act gives the council the power to serve improvement notices if any of the above needs are not being met.
Enforcement
Anyone is allowed to bring a prosecution for an offence including charities like the RSPCA.
The RSPCA are committed to investigating offences relating to cruelty or welfare of domestic animals.
Oldham Council will enforce the Act relating to all its licensed establishments, such as pet shops, boarding and breeding kennels etc. and on farm.