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Animal
health and welfare
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Enforcement of all animal health and welfare
legislation designed to protect both domesticated and
wild animals.
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Animal
importation
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In order to ensure that animal diseases are not
imported into Great Britain DEFRA enforces a system
of controls which rely primarily on imported animals
being accompanied by health certification and being
subject to post-import veterinary inspection.
Implementation of import regulations is the
responsibility of the port authority into which the
animals are imported.
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Animal
welfare services
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The Animal welfare sections responds to both reports
from the public, and undertakes proactive patrols.
The aims of the service are to reduce the risk to
human health from domesticated animals and/or the
premises where they are kept, to prevent nuisance
from pet animals or from the keeping or boarding of
pet animals and to reduce the risk to animal health
arising from commercial keeping of pet or similar
non-livestock animals.
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Animals -
stray
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The local authority has a legal duty to collect and
detain stray animals if they remain unclaimed.
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Dog
warden service
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The dog warden service promotes and monitors
responsible dog ownership, enforces dog fouling and
dog nuisance legislation and deals with stray dogs.
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Dogs -
registration
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Dangerous dogs (certain breeds) need to be registered
- this is a service usually carried out by the local
police. Some authorities may operate a voluntary dog
registration scheme which will enable the dog to be
returned to its owner if lost.
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Licence -
animal movement
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This service provides animal movement licensing which
controls the movement of a range of animals. The most
common animals whose movements have to be licensed
are sheep, pigs and cows. licences are issued by
DEFRA in England and Wales and by SEERAD in Scotland.
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Licence -
boarding animals
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Under the Animal Boarding Establishment Act 1963
anyone who carries on the business of providing
accommodation for other people’s cats and dogs is
required to have a licence. The aim of the licensing
requirements is to achieve certain standards in the
management of the accommodation and to ensure
precautions against disease and fire.
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Licence -
dangerous animals
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The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and a schedule
included with the Act contains a list of the various
animals classed as “dangerous wild animals”. In
addition to powers of inspection, the Act also gives
the council powers to seize any animal being kept on
premises which are unlicensed. Zoos, pet shops and
circuses are exempt from the provisions of the Act as
these premises are subject to separate licensing
requirements.
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Licence - dog
breeding
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Under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, as amended by
the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, you
must have a licence from the local authority to keep
a breeding establishment for dogs. Premises must be
inspected by a local authority officer and a vet
prior to issuing of the licence.
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Licence -
performing animals
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It is an offence for anyone to train or exhibit a
performing animal unless they are registered to do so
under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925.
The Act is designed to cover the use of animals in
stage performances, at circuses, as part of
exhibitions etc.
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Licence - pet
shop
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The Pet Animals Act 1951 regulates the sale of pet
animals from licensed pet shops. One of the
legislative provisions is that a pet animal, as
defined, cannot be sold to a person under the age of
twelve. Officers inspect the premises to check
compliance with general health and safety
requirements and also the welfare of the animals
prior to issuing of the licence.
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Licence -
riding establishment
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Stables which hire out horses or ponies for riding or
instruction must be licensed under the Riding
Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970. A report is also
required from a veterinary Surgeon or Practitioner.
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Licence -
zoo
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Zoos are required to be licensed under the Zoo
Licensing Act 1981. A 'zoo' is classed as any
establishment, other than a circus or pet shop, where
animals are kept for public exhibition.
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Pest
control
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The service is provided for pests considered to be a
risk to public health or food safety including rats,
house mice, cockroaches and fleas. A service may also
be provided to control pests that may become a
nuisance in houses such as a wide range of beetles,
silverfish, earwigs and wasps.
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Pet
care when hospitalised
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The local authority provides information and advice
regarding pet care when people go into hospital.
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