The most comprehensive law to protect the welfare of animals in England and Wales received Royal Assent on 8th November after gaining cross-party support in both the House of Commons and the Lords.

The Government’s Animal Welfare Act will introduce a welfare offence - which should prevent thousands of animals from suffering due to serious and ongoing neglect. For the first time, the law will require that keepers and owners have a legal responsibility to meet their animals’ basic welfare needs. These include:

• A proper diet
• Somewhere suitable to live
• Any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals
• Allowing animals to express normal behaviour
• Protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury

The law also updates a century-old cruelty offence, and also includes offences regarding dog fighting, cock fighting, administering poisons and mutilating animals.

Doug Naysmith, MP for Bristol North West said: “Most of us care for our animals properly, but there are those who end up causing their pet to suffer purely because they have not provided it with the necessities of life – like food and water, veterinary treatment if it gets sick, or a clean home. This new law will address this problem.

“Now, for the first time, people will have a legal responsibility to care for their animals. If someone refuses to improve their act and continues to neglect their pet, RSPCA inspectors or state authorities will finally be able to intervene to stop that animal from suffering.

“This is great news for thousands of animals which each year suffer from lack of basic care. Indeed, the RSPCA is calling it the most significant piece of legislation to affect animal welfare in nearly 100 years.”

The new law comes into effect on 6 April 2007 in England, and at a similar time – yet to be confirmed – in Wales.