Enforcement

We are currently working on a report addressing legal barriers to the effective enforcement of animal welfare and anti-cruelty legislation in the United Kingdom. In particular we will consider such factors as sentencing powers and guidance, mode of trial, judicial training, court delays, use of powers to rehome animals and the impact of judicial delays on animal welfare.

Enforcement is also a topic addressed in our legal education programme. For example, in August 2021 we hosted a webinar about enforcement of animal welfare legislation and our autumn webinar series about horse welfare aims to ensure that people concerned about neglect are aware of the legal rights and responsibilities that exist towards horses kept or roaming on land.