Animal Welfare Insert Product Photograph Here ELISTA Education
2012 April 2012 Saturday, Roscrea
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Animal Related Legislation
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Selection of Relevant Pet Acts Protection of Animals from
Cruelty Act Protection of Animals for Sale Greyhound Industry Act
Animals Act Control & Protection of Dogs Control &
Protection of Horses Dog Breeding Establishments Act Welfare of
Greyhounds Act
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Selection of Relevant Farm Animal Acts Protection of Animals
from Cruelty Act Protection of Animals for Sale Protection of
Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Transport of Animals Regulation
of Animal Slaughter Control and Protection of Bulls
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Selection of Relevant Other Animals/Industries Acts Alleviation
of Suffering of Abandoned or Straying Animals Confinement of
Animals and Proper Maintenance of Pounds Preventing the
Administration of Poison and Illegal Substances to Animals
Operations on Animals Hunting & the Protection of Wildlife
Animal Remedies Act
Legislation to Review Protection of Animals from Cruelty Act
Protection of Animals for Sale Control & Protection of Dogs Dog
Breeding Establishments Act Welfare of Greyhounds Act Hunting &
the Protection of Wildlife
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Protection of Animals (from Cruelty) Act 1911 (amended
1965)
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Key points Initial 1911 only protected domestic and captive
animals. Extended to wild animals in the 1965 amendment so now ALL
animals protected from cruelty . Cruelty is causing unnecessary
suffering. Includes positive acts as well as abandonment and
neglect in circumstances that are likely to cause unnecessary
suffering. What members of the public should do if they witness
cruelty to animals What to do with an animal severely suffering Any
person can be prosecuted for cruelty (owner/non- owner and person
in charge). If an unidentified animal is found it is assumed to be
that of the land owner.
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Protection of Animals for Sale 1965 (Amended 1967, 1985)
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Key points Includes sale of pets in pet shops and livestock at
marts In the legislation the general term pound is used, with the
same regulations that animals must have constant water supply and
be without food for no longer than 6 hours. Any person may lawfully
enter the pound to provide food if not provided! Conditions for
keeper of animal for sale include; accommodation suitable in
respects of size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and
cleanliness sufficient quantity of suitable food and water prevent
among animals the spread of infectious disease safe guarded from
fire hazards and only sold at an age that is not likely to cause
suffering to them ! Animals are not to be sold in a public place
Offence to sell a pet to anyone under the apparent age of 12
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Key points This act and the Livestock Marts Act 1967 protect
livestock (sheep, cattle and pigs) It aims to prevent cruelty by
firstly requiring a Mart License, then making requirements for
Veterinary constant supply of water, removal of faecal waste,
facilities for safe, speedy, efficient, and discomfort free
loading, segregation of adults male animals, pens constructed of
suitable material and properly disinfected. Licensees are required
to refuse animals in excess of the mart capacity Marts are
inspected by representatives of the Department of Agriculture to
assess compliance with legislation
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Control & Dogs Act 1986 (Amended 1992) other specific
amendments e.g Guard Dogs
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Key points Requirement for license Control of dogs- must be
accompanied and under effectual control in public places. Dogs
worrying livestock can be: seized and brought to dog warden, can
(if no other option) be shot, even if about to worry livestock or
if found in area of injured or dead livestock. Shooting must be
reported with details to Gardai. Stray dogs can be taken by public,
but they should report to Gardai OR dog warden Unclaimed dogs can
be destroyed after 5 days Finders can keep dogs, if detail such to
Gardai or dog warden, but legal owner can claim dog within one year
of finding! Further Control of Dogs Act 1986 (Guard Dogs)
Regulations 1989, (Restriction of certain Dogs)1998. Illegal to
have dog pull cart, carriage, barrow on highway
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Restricted Breeds
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Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010
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Key points Came into force January 1 st 2012, with existing
establishments having until 30 th June 2012 to comply. Any
establishment holding 6 or more bitches over 6 months and capable
for breeding must register with their local authority Operators are
required to comply with guidelines attached to the act, these
include; construction, space, temperature, lighting, bedding,
exercise, grooming, hygiene and veterinary care.
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Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011
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Key points Act signed into law on 16 th November by Michael D
Higgins, president of only 5 days! Produced from a coalition of
animal welfare groups, the greyhound industry and Department of
Agriculture Enforces cruelty as described in 1911 Act Regulated by
Irish Greyhound Board and Irish Coursing Club in association with
local Authorities Used in conjunction with Breeding Establishments
Act (Guidelines for housing etc and registering of establishment)
Restrictions on number of litters from breeding bitches Greyhounds
to be identifiable and registered, including when sold or
transferred
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Wildlife Act 1976
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Key points Protected wildlife are described to be: Badgers,
Bats, Deers, Hares, Hedgehogs, Otters, Pine Martens, Red Squirrel,
Dolphins, Porpoises, Seals, Whales, Natterjack Toad and many birds
excluding (some examples) Sparrows, Magpie, Bullfinch, Crow,
Starling. Licenses are required to hunt any protected birds and may
be granted for animals such as hares, deer and otters Firearms may
be used to hunt by qualified people Traps and snares are prohibited
To injure in the process of hunting is an offence (unless licensed)
It is an offence to hunt over someone else s land and use equipment
to entice or dazzle animals Wild animals are included in the
Protection of Animals from Cruelty Act since 1965.
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LEGAL DIFFICULTIES Outdated legislation (industries evolved)
Legal Loopholes Subjective Terminologies Exemptions Animals do not
make great witnesses!!
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ANIMAL ETHICS The World Animal Foundation describes Animal
Ethics to be: Addressing the questions of morality, such as what
makes our actions right or wrong animal ethics is something that we
all interact with on a daily basis
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ANIMAL ETHICS Discussing Ethics is not far removed from
discussing perceptions of animal welfare as we did at the beginning
of the course. Perceptions of welfare were described to be
influenced by: Personality Empathy Experience (ownership) Knowledge
Gender (+genes) Religion + Cultural information exchange
Environmental (Media and Nurtural influence)
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Euthanasia Why do owners or animal care givers have the right
to choose? What can help influence the moral decision that has to
be made? The knowledge that we have taking responsibility for
Understanding quality of life, good welfare as given in five
freedoms Legislation- are we being cruel? Inflicting unnecessary
suffering? Professionals Opinions- vets Our scientific mind-
observations of changes in behaviour and understanding of pet
attachment and the potential for allowing suffering for our own
agenda. Our Conscience, Our Empathy and Our Anthropomorphism
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ANIMAL ETHICS Interacting with animal ethics on a daily basis
causes us to have to make moral decisions; whether something is
right or wrong. Now hopefully moral decisions in relation to Animal
Welfare can be made not only based upon influences on personal
perception, but also scientific research, explorative personal
research, informative guidelines of best practise and also relevant
legislation. This will allow you to become confident in the daily
ethic decisions you have to make.