Animal Welfare

Responsibility for animal cruelty prosecutions in England and Wales may be transferred from the RSPCA to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) ahead of the introduction of stricter sentences for offenders. The move, included in the RSPCA's new ten-year strategy, would bring England and Wales into line

Mountain hares in Scotland will gain greater legal protection under regulations introduced to the Scottish Parliament today. From 1 March 2021, it will be illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take mountain hares at any time unless a licence is obtained.

Changes to the law to enhance and protect the welfare of animals have been introduced. If approved, the new legislation laid before the Scottish Parliament will update existing laws covering dog breeding and pet selling as well as introduce licensing for cat and rabbit breeders, animal rescue centre

An independently-chaired task force will start work this summer to consider whether the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) should be given extra powers to investigate wildlife crime, the rural affairs minister has confirmed ahead of MSPs’ final vote on pr

A bill to strengthen animal cruelty penalties and introduce emergency procedures to rehome animals will be debated in the Scottish Parliament today. Members will be asked to agree to the general principles of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill which aims to:

Lawyer Mike Radford has been appointed to Scotland's first independent Animal Welfare Commission. Mr Radford, who was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to animal welfare law, is a reader at Aberdeen University School of Law.

A consultation has been launched on the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences. Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee is considering proposals to provide further protections to animals and wildlife in Scotland.

New legislation increasing animal cruelty penalties and improving powers for front-line enforcement agencies has been published. The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill will increase the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences

A member of the Faculty of Advocates is playing a leading role in reforming the law to combat the scourge of puppy farming in Scotland. Scott Blair, of Terra Firma Chambers, will be among those taking part this month in Scottish government round-table discussions following a consultation on the Lice