Pet theft taskforce report – Home Office

Posted September 3rd, 2021 in animals, government departments, press releases, reports, theft by tracey

‘This report sets out the findings of the taskforce and the recommendations that the government will be taking forward to tackle the issue of pet theft.’

Full press release

Home Office, 3rd September 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Geronimo the alpaca is killed after four-year battle to save him fails – The Guardian

Posted September 1st, 2021 in animals, government departments, health, news by sally

‘After four years of court battles, protests and celebrity interventions, Geronimo, the UK’s most divisive alpaca, has been put down by government officials.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 31st August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Thirty years of the Dangerous Dogs Act: time for change – 1 MCB Chambers

Posted August 25th, 2021 in animals, chambers articles, dogs, legal history, news by sally

‘On the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, dangerous dogs and animal welfare expert Pamela Rose reflects on whether the statute is fit for purpose.’

Full Story

1 MCB Chambers, August 2021

Source: 1mcb.com

Final legal effort to save Geronimo the alpaca thrown out by judge – The Guardian

Posted August 19th, 2021 in agriculture, animals, euthanasia, injunctions, news by sally

‘A last-ditch legal attempt to save Geronimo the alpaca has been rejected by a high court judge.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Geronimo the alpaca gets temporary reprieve ahead of review – BBC News

Posted August 17th, 2021 in animals, government departments, health, injunctions, news by tracey

‘An alpaca whose life hangs in the balance has received a temporary reprieve, his supporters have said.’

Full Story

BBC News, 17th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK could allow animal tests for cosmetic ingredients for first time since 1998 – The Guardian

Posted August 11th, 2021 in animal cruelty, animals, health & safety, news by tracey

‘Ministers have opened the door to expanding the use of animal testing to ingredients used in cosmetic products for the first time in 23 years, an animal welfare charity has said.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 11th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pets and Divorce: Who keeps the dog? – Family Law

Posted August 6th, 2021 in animals, dispute resolution, divorce, families, news by tracey

‘The coronavirus pandemic has seen a boom in the number of couples welcoming new pets into their homes. According to the Pet Food Manufactures Association, an estimated 3.2 million UK households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. However, in instances where a relationship breaks down and a couple separates or divorces, who keeps the dog?’

Full Story

Family Law, 5th August 2021

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Brighton cat killer jailed for five years – The Guardian

‘A security guard who killed cats in a series of attacks over eight months in Brighton has been jailed for more than five years.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 30th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK government seeks to extend protection of ivory-bearing animals – The Guardian

Posted July 19th, 2021 in animal cruelty, animals, government departments, news by michael

‘The plans would see the Ivory Act broadened to cover more animals, with ministers saying elephants are not the only species at risk. The proposed protections opened for public consultation on Saturday [17 July], and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has urged industry stakeholders and members of the public to share their views.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 17th July 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

36 Crime Criminal Updates – The 36 Group

‘We are grateful to the contributors to this Newsletter. Sam Skinner’s case note on the recent decision in R -v- Brecani addresses the consequence of this important shift away from accepting as expert evidence the conclusive decisions made by civil servants within the Home Office on referrals for human trafficking and modern slavery. Kate Kelleher provides a timely reminder that the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 is in force from 29th June 2021 and provides a commentary on the most notable recent developments in the prosecutions of animal welfare offences. In April and May Catherine Rose and Tom Parker ran a 2-part webinar session on Open-Source Evidence with contributions from a panel of leading experts from the US and UK. Their article is just a taster of the material covered in greater depth in the sessions. A timely warning to apply the basic critical analysis we use in relation to evidence from many scientific fields to all such evidence before relying on it at face value. Mary Prior Q.C. has provided a comprehensive round up in the Crime Bulletin of all the recent decisions of importance in a broad spectrum of procedural and offence-based areas.’

Full Story

The 36 Group, 28th June 2021

Source: 36group.co.uk

Animals to be formally recognised as sentient beings in UK law – The Guardian

Posted May 12th, 2021 in animal cruelty, animals, bills, government departments, news by sally

‘Animals are to be formally recognised as sentient beings in UK law for the first time, in a victory for animal welfare campaigners, as the government set out a suite of animal welfare measures including halting most live animal exports and banning the import of hunting trophies.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 12th May 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Taskforce launched to investigate reported rise in pet thefts – Home Office

Posted May 10th, 2021 in animals, crime prevention, government departments, press releases, theft by tracey

‘Taskforce will investigate and draw up action to tackle these crimes.’

Full press release

Home Office, 8th May 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2021 c. 24 – Fire Safety Act 2021

2021 c. 21 – Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021

2021 c. 20 – Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021

2021 c. 19 – Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021

2021 c. 18 – Prisons (Substance Testing) Act 2021

2021 c. 16 – Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Act 2021

2021 c. 15 – British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Act 2021

2021 c. 13 – Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Act 2021

2021 c. 12 – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021

2021 c. 10 – Trade Act 2021

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

HS2: Judge orders pause on tree felling at wood that inspired Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox – The Independent

‘A High Court judge has ordered HS2 to stop felling trees at a wood that inspired Roald Dahl to write Fantastic Mr Fox, ahead of a hearing into whether the government licences were issued legitimately.’

Full Story

The Independent, 17th April 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

What is the true value of a companion animal? – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted April 7th, 2021 in animals, appeals, consumer protection, damages, disclosure, dogs, news, sale of goods by sally

‘As we all know, the acquisition of puppies during lockdown has gone through the roof with the inevitable sad consequences of remorse followed by neglect and even abandonment. Dog theft has spiralled as the market responds by escalating the price of pedigree puppies.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 7th April 2021

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

RSPCA plans to stop taking animal abusers to court privately – The Guardian

‘For nearly two centuries, the RSPCA has pursued private prosecutions against people it suspects of cruelty to animals. Now, under pressure from MPs, it has said it plans to end that practice and turn over its files to the Crown Prosecution Service instead.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 28th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Gene editing of crops and livestock may soon be permitted in England – The Guardian

Posted January 7th, 2021 in agriculture, animals, consultations, EC law, food, news by tracey

‘Gene editing of crops and livestock may soon be permitted in England for the first time under a consultation launched by the government on Thursday.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 7th January 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Construction company hit by £600,000 fine over damage to bat breeding site – Local Government Lawyer

‘A major house builder has been ordered to pay what is understood to be the largest fine ever issued by a court in relation to a wildlife crime. On 8 December at Woolwich Crown Court, Bellway Homes pleaded guilty to the offence between 17 March 2018 and 17 August 2018 of damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place for bats.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 14th December 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Government plans ban on controversial live animal exports – The Independent

Posted December 3rd, 2020 in animals, brexit, consultations, EC law, news, slaughter by tracey

‘The government has said it is planning to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, as it seeks to “strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare”.’

Full Story

The Independent, 3rd December 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ex-zoo worker jailed over penguins and rare birds theft – BBC News

Posted October 30th, 2020 in animals, burglary, imprisonment, news, sentencing, theft by sally

‘A man who stole penguins and rare birds from a zoo has been jailed.’

Full Story

BBC News, 30th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk