Animal Welfare Officers can advise farmers and business owners on their statutory obligations.
The officers also inspect and licence all animal establishments within the borough.
Farm animals
The Animal Welfare Officers of Oldham Council help farmers comply with their statutory obligations by:
- Monitoring animal movements by licence
- Checking movement and associated records and ear tags on farms
- Monitoring welfare standards of animals that are kept on farm, or are in transit, or at slaughterhouses
- The carcass of any animal found on agricultural premises has to be disposed of in compliance strict rules, we monitor that these rules are complied with Maintaining Disease Contingency Plans. These plans exist to help support DEFRA in the event of any serious outbreak of animal disease
- Monitoring the import and export of any animals and take action if any illegal imports of animals are reported to us
Domestic animals
Owners of any animal must provide or allow:
- A suitable environment (place to live)
- A suitable diet (food and water)
- Exhibition of normal behaviour patterns
- Animals to be housed with/apart from other animals (if applicable)
- Animals to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
If you do not comply, the RSPCA or Oldham Council can prosecute.