§ 11. Chris Bryant (Rhondda)What plans she has to reform the laws regarding cruelty to domestic animals. [180216]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr. Ben Bradshaw)We hope to publish the draft Animal Welfare Bill this summer. The Bill will update and 1449 consolidate over 20 pieces of animal welfare legislation dating back to 1911 and will introduce a new duty of care on all animal owners.
§ Chris BryantI am delighted to hear what the Minister has just had to say. Many people feel that the fact that our legislation is so piecemeal and hideously outdated—going back to 1911, as the Minister said—is a disgrace. For example, it is still legal to tether a dog all day as long as it has minimum food and shelter. Will the Government introduce changes to ensure that RSPCA officers can intervene not on the 25th occasion that they visit an animal that is being treated cruelly but on the first occasion?
§ Mr. BradshawYes, the Bill will deal with the problem that my hon. Friend outlines; it will include in the duty of care an obligation to avoid treating an animal in such a way that suffering is bound to occur.