Animal Welfare, Cruelty and Rights

Animals are integrated into many areas of society, the work place, research, and the home. Animal law covers a variety of statutory and case law concerning many of these issues, focusing on animal welfare, human safety and owners’ liability.

Please refer to the below sections for topics within Animal Law:
Animal farming

Animal farming law ensures the well-being and fair treatment of farming livestock, addressing growing concerns within industrial farming and mass animal rearing.

Some of the regulations set out to improve life quality of farmed animals include:

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      spacing guidelines
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      feeding requirements
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      quality control

Additional limitations are set out to preserve endangered species within marine farming, attempting to tackle limited provisions causing growing concern amongst the fish farming industry, both nationally and internationally.
Animals in the home

With working families and growing security concerns, keeping animals locked in the home is a common occurrence. Incidences are reported daily regarding unfair treatment of animals in the home, often locked within confined or unsavoury conditions for unjustifiable periods of time. Owners are now urged to consider the implications and commitments involved in caring for animals, and to consider:

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      general costs of pet ownership
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      alternative care when away from the home
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      the regularity of outside exposure
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      exercises routines for pets; especially for elderly or disabled pet owners
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      over feeding or under feeding of animals in the home

Many dogs are bred to perform guard duties, and consequentially can become violent or aggressive. Animals from a care background can also be unstable as a result of neglect and abuse. However, animals causing injury to others can be faced with severe consequences.

With legal cases resulting in anything from large compensation claims, to having the animal put down, animal acts of aggression can not only be dangerous but extremely complicated within the eyes of the law, with liability falling on the primary carers.

Breeding to sell animals is not uncommon, but following of animal welfare guidelines is essential in rearing animals, as is permanent care. Those who do not follow regulations set can be liable for severe penalties.

Exotic animals and endangered species are monitored by strict importation laws, along with other regulations set out to prevent the increased captivity of wild animals.
Working dogs

Working dogs can include guide dogs for the blind, guard dogs for property or the home, and dogs used in hunting, sports and racing.

Working dogs are entitled to the same rights and living conditions as other animals in the home, and failure to comply to these regulations can be served with fixed penalties.