Council in new commitment to animal welfare
Released: 18 September 2007
Wolverhampton City Council has refreshed its commitment to the rights of animals to live free from cruelty and suffering. The authority has just published an updated Animal Welfare Charter to include recent changes in legislation.
The council will use the charter to develop policies and also hopes that the document will provide an example to other agencies, individuals and organisations to prevent animal cruelty.
The charter states that people have a duty of care towards animals in their charge and that animals have the right to enjoy five basic freedoms:
• Freedom from hunger and thirst
• Freedom from discomfort
• Freedom from pain, injury or disease
• Freedom to express normal behaviour
• Freedom from fear or distress
The five freedoms will be taken into account by the council when it is exercising its statutory powers in relation to animal health and welfare matters.
Councillor Pat Byrne, cabinet member for the environment, said that the charter was an important document. She added: “We are a nation of animal lovers, but sadly not a week goes by without horrendous headlines of animal cruelty. Agencies such as the city council have a duty to ensure we do all we can to prevent cruelty and suffering.
“There are a number of ways this can be done – such as the use of fair but firm enforcement action, educating and advising people on animal welfare issues and seeking to influence those both within and without the council’s area who have an impact on important welfare issues.”
Councils have a responsibility for the licensing and enforcement of licence conditions in respect of a range of activities involving animals including dog breeding, pet shops, animal boarding and riding establishments.
The charter covers all of these areas as well as providing guidelines for domestic animals, horses and ponies, animal diseases and wildlife.
Copies of the charter are available from the Civic Centre and other public buildings. It can also be viewed online Here.
Issued by the press office.