Animal welfare > Animal Policy
Animal Policy
Details
The Council’s Animal Policy sets out it’s
position on a range of animal welfare
issues and aims to provide elected members,
Council officials, the business sector and
the general public with information and
guidance on these issues.
It embraces the following principles:
1) The Council is
convinced that we all
have responsibility to our fellow
creatures. It seeks to inform our citizens
about these responsibilities and explain
how best they can be met.
2) In considering the
welfare of domestic
or captive animals due regard should be
had to the principles (known as the 5
freedoms) that the animals must be
accorded:
- freedom from hunger and thirst: by
ready access to fresh water and a diet to
maintain full health and vigour
- freedom from discomfort by providing an
appropriate environment including shelter
and a comfortable resting area
- freedom from pain, injury or disease-
by prevention or rapid diagnosis and
treatment.
- freedom to express normal behaviour- by
providing sufficient space, proper
facilities and the company of an animal of
it’s own kind.
- freedom from fear and distress by
ensuring conditions and treatment which
avoid mental suffering.
3) In all other
circumstances, persons
having responsibility for the management of
the habitat which impinges on the welfare
of any animal involved, directly or
indirectly, should observe recognised
acceptable good practices.
4) The Council will ensure
that, so far as it falls within its powers,
the requirements of all legislation
relating to animals and animal welfare will
be rigorously enforced.
Animal welfare will be a routine
consideration in all reports to appropriate
Committees. The policy and appendices will
be periodically reviewed and updated, so
that amendments to legislation or further
developments in animal welfare can be
embodied in the policy.
The Animal Health and Welfare(Scotland) Act
2006 places a duty of care on pet owners
and others responsible for animals to
ensure that welfare needs of their animals
are met.
The new Act:
- makes it an offence to fail to take
reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of a
protected animal
- makes it an offence to cause a
protected animal unecessary suffering
- prohibits using animals as prizes
- raises the age limit for buying
animals
- increases the penalties for animal
abuse
- allows the courts to disqualify a
person from owning, keeping or being in
charge of animals
For futher information, please see the
Caring for your Animal form in
the Downloadable Forms section below.
For further information on pet and animal
welfare support, please visit the
PAWSS
website.
Contact(s)
- Andrew Gilchrist
Animal Health and Welfare
Senior Environmental Health Officer
Commercial Section
Neighbourhood Services Central
Aberdeen City Council
3rd Floor, St. Nicholas House
Broad St
Aberdeen
AB10 1BX
Phone: 01224 523800
Fax: 01224 523887
Email: EHCAberdeencity@aberdeencity.gov.uk
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