Scottish local authorities can now remove animals from their owners and keepers if they believe they are at risk of suffering following enactment last week of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.
The new law introduces a duty of care on anyone responsible for animals, and stiffer penalties of up to 12 months in prison and a £20,000 fine for people found guilty of animal abuse.
Libby Anderson, Policy Director, Advocates for Animals, broadly welcomes the new Act:
"We must recognise the significance of the change in animal welfare legislation, as of today. From now on anyone in Scotland who has responsibility for an animal will have to ensure that it enjoys a reasonable standard of welfare. Enforcement agencies will not have to wait for evidence of an animal's suffering before they can step in. That was always too late.
"Let us hope that the new obligation on animal owners will mean no more ponies left neglected in fields, no more dogs tied up outside for days on end, and no more animals kept in conditions which are barely tolerable."
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