THE publication of the Government’s Animal Welfare Bill today has been greeted enthusiastically by the RSPCA, which has long called for better laws to prevent animals from suffering neglect and cruelty.

As well as increasing the penalties for those who inflict the most serious cruelty offences, the Animal Welfare Bill introduces the new welfare offence. This will introduce a ‘duty of care’ on pet owners to provide for their animal’s basic needs - such as adequate food and water, veterinary treatment when required, and an appropriate environment in which to live.

“While we are yet to study the detail of the Bill, we are confident that once enacted it will become the most far reaching improvement to the welfare of animals for almost a century, and for that we are absolutely delighted”, said Jackie Ballard, RSPCA Director General.

“The new welfare offence will, for the first time, protect thousands of animals from enduring serious ongoing neglect each year, by legally obliging owners to care for them properly, something the RSPCA has been campaigning on for many, many years”.

Under current law, pet owners can currently face prosecution for neglect or cruelty but only after suffering has occurred, and when it is often too late to save the animal from death or lasting injury.

Jackie Ballard added: “Every single day, RSPCA inspectors have to watch in frustration and sadness as the neglect of numerous animals at risk turns into suffering. The Animal Welfare Bill would mean we could act before that suffering actually happens”.

Recent RSPCA figures revealed an appalling rise in the number of animals not getting even the most basic care and attention. In 2004, of 1,043,114 animals seen by inspectors:

• 68,732 animals’ basic needs were not being met - a 78 per cent increase;

• 19,352 animals did not have access to water - a 96 per cent increase;

• 2,924 animals suffered because advice given was ignored - a 90 per cent increase;

• Dogs are most at risk - 18,334 were not receiving basic care.

With the new welfare offence, owners failing to care properly for their animals could be reprimanded or prosecuted. However, RSPCA prosecutions will only be brought on the basis of veterinary evidence, and after the owner has been given a written warning and appropriate time to correct the problem.

Anyone who properly cares for their pet has nothing to fear from this new proposed legislation.