Animal Welfare ServicesAnimal Welfare Services
The Animal Health and Welfare Team of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council advises the farming community and enforces a range of legislation regarding the health and welfare of farm livestock and poultry. This may involve on-farm visits, spot checks on livestock vehicles, regular inspections of livestock markets and abattoirs and also responding to welfare complaints made by the public, officials and other authorities. Policing the correct identification of animals and monitoring their movements is also an important aspect of the department allowing the traceability of livestock and consequently preventing the spread disease.
We aim to deal successfully with a variety of complaints concerning farm livestock (sheep, pigs, goats, cattle, poultry and farmed deer) that have been reported by the general public, farmers, officials and other authorities.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006
Local Authorities were given additional enforcement powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which came into force in Wales on 27th March 2007 and which amongst others, applies to pet animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles and horses.
Owners are responsible for ensuring that their animal’s welfare needs are met. These include the need:
• for a suitable environment
• for a suitable diet
• to be able to exhibit their normal behaviour patterns
• to be housed with or apart from other animals (if applicable)
• to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
Any person who is cruel to an animal, or fails to provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from keeping animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.
As guidance for owners, Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Cats, Dogs and Equines have been made available. These provide advice on how to meet the needs your animal.
The Welsh Assembly Government has given Local Authorities extra responsibilities to deliver an education plan, to highlight the importance of Animal Welfare. This will involve officers attending community awareness days, supermarkets, schools, youth groups, shows and events to deliver the message:
"You have a responsibility and a duty to your animals"
In partnership with other animal protection organisations Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is committed to the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and to provision of education, advice and information on Animal Welfare throughout the Borough.
Trading Standards Enforcement Policy.pdf (47k)
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