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Mala
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Pet welfare act coming into force | Quote: | People will be legally liable for the basic welfare of their pets under new laws coming into force in England.
The Animal Welfare Act, which became law in Wales last week, includes harsher fines of up to £20,000 and jail terms of up to a year for cruelty.
The RSPCA is raising awareness of the act, which has been dubbed a bill of rights for pets, ahead of its official introduction on Friday.
The government says existing laws are outdated and too inflexible.
The act, which raises penalties for cruelty from the previous maximum of six months in prison or a £5,000 fine, represents the first new laws on animal welfare for 94 years.
The RSPCA has described the legislation as historic.
Circus acts
It opposes performing animals in circuses and zoos and says that under the act, further regulations dealing with issues such as circus animals may be introduced in the future.
A panel of experts appointed by the government to look at whether stricter regulations or a ban on circus animals is needed is due to report by the summer. Any changes would come into force by 2008.
For the first time, the act imposes a duty of care for non-farm animals.
This includes making sure that animals have a proper diet, somewhere to live - with or apart from other animals - the ability to express normal behaviour and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Under the act the minimum age for buying a pet will rise from 12 to 16 and under-16s will not be allowed to win a pet as a prize.
RSPCA director general Jackie Ballard said most people were well aware of their animals' needs, so the change in the law would not affect them or their pets.
But she advised anyone who was unsure about their pets' needs to contact the RSPCA or their vet.
Dogs' tails
Animal welfare minister Barry Gardiner said: "The Animal Welfare Act represents the most important achievement in the history of animal welfare legislation for almost a century."
He said persistent offenders would be deterred by stronger penalties.
RSPCA vet David Grant said: "Animals need appropriate food and water, shelter and exercise, and to be treated quickly if they are sick or injured.
"Crucially now owners and keepers will have a legal responsibility to meet the basic welfare needs of their animals."
The act will also ban the docking of dogs' tails for cosmetic reasons, with the exception of "working" dogs used by the police, armed forces, search and rescue, and gun dogs.
The Scottish Parliament has banned the docking of all dogs' tails except for genuine medical reasons.
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Zoe
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I think it's a good thing that they're trying to crack down on the mis-treatment of animals, and trying to ensure they're treated right. It'll also be a bit of an eyeopener too for some people who do treat their pets right, they might learn stuff they never knew!!
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