France, Germany and UK make progress in animal welfare legislation

Some European countries have advanced their national legislation to better care for the welfare of dogs and cats. GlobalPETS analyzes the latest developments.

France

The French government has introduced a national plan to prevent and fight pet abandonment, improve the management of canine and feline wandering and avoid pet abuse.

The plan is structured around 5 areas: understanding the situation and identifying action levers; informing, questioning, and training; facilitating synergies between actors involved in animal protection; making regulations more protective; and renewing financing mechanisms.

Under these areas, officials will increase awareness, legal frameworks and accountability for enhanced animal welfare.

The government intends to implement stronger measures against tail docking, the use of electric collars and muzzles and pet tattooing. Furthermore, it will allocate €3 million ($3.2M) toward the sterilization of stray cats. 

“This plan, through concrete measures, therefore lays the first milestones toward a global approach consisting of better-integrating pets into the life of society,” says Marc Fesneau, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. 

A national monitoring committee of 4 ministers, professionals and civil society actors will oversee the priority measures and implementation of the pet welfare plan.

Germany

Germany’s Federal Cabinet has released a draft bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Products Trade Prohibition Act to “strengthen animal protection in the keeping and use of animals.”

Officials want to impose stricter rules on cruel breeding practices and online pet trading. The new bill would ban keeping animals tied up, as well as keeping and displaying certain animals in various locations. 

The update of the existing law is expected to close legal and enforcement gaps regarding animal protection, as well as adapt the existing regulations to the latest scientific findings.

“Improving animal welfare is a high priority for us because we all have a responsibility for animals as sentient creatures,” Cem Özdemir, Federal Minster of Food and Agriculture, tells local media.

The bill aims to regulate non-curative procedures, enforce requirements for producing identity proof for online pet trading and video surveillance in slaughterhouses and increase penalties and fines.

Another noteworthy change includes an exhibition and advertising ban on animals with “torture breeding” characteristics. The German Kennel Club (VDH) warns that dachshunds, beagles, cocker spaniels, Maltese poodles and 4 other breeds may be under threat. 

Both the French and German bills follow a new legislative package on pet welfare and traceability presented by the European Commission last December to set harmonized standards in the region.

United Kingdom

A new law making pet abduction a criminal offense entered into force after receiving Royal Assent on 24 May. Now, offenders stealing pets in England and Northern Ireland will face up to 5 years in prison, a fine or both. 

The Kennel Club welcomed the passing of the law. “This new law is desperately needed to ensure that sentencing provisions reflect a dog’s sentience and their role within their family, as well as fully taking into account the emotional harm inflicted on the victims of this crime,” says Dr. Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs.

The Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by Anna Firth MP and Lord Black of Brentwood, adds to the mandate for compulsory microchipping of cats to simplify finding lost, stray or stolen pets. 

According to the Pet Theft Taskforce, 2,400 dog and cat theft crimes were reported in 2020.