Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Fitness of animals to travel

6.—(1) A person shall not transport any animal unless—

(a) it is fit for the journey intended to be effected by a means of transport; and

(b) suitable provision has been made for its care during the journey and on arrival at the place of destination.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), for the purposes of this Article an animal shall not be considered fit for a journey intended to be effected by a means of transport (including the intended method of loading and unloading) if that animal is ill, injured, infirm or fatigued, unless it is only slightly ill, injured, infirm or fatigued and the journey intended to be so effected is not likely to cause it unnecessary suffering.

(3) For the purposes of this Article mammals shall not be considered fit for their intended journey if they—

(a) are likely to give birth during transport;

(b) are new-born animals in which the navel has not completely healed; or

(c) have given birth during the preceding 48 hours.

(4) For the purposes of this Article, infant mammals and infant birds (other than horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and domestic birds, domestic rabbits, domestic dogs and domestic cats) which are not accompanied by their mother shall not be considered fit for their intended journey if they are incapable of feeding themselves.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4), an animal may be transported while undergoing regulated procedures authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986(1) provided that it is not likely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering by the intended journey.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2), horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs may be transported to the nearest available place for veterinary treatment or diagnosis, or to the nearest available place of slaughter if the animal is not likely to be subject to unnecessary suffering by reason of its unfitness.

(7) An animal to which paragraph (6) applies shall not be dragged or pushed by any means, or lifted by a mechanical device, unless such dragging, lifting or pushing is done in the presence of and under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon who is arranging for it to be transported with all practicable speed to a place for veterinary treatment.

(8) A person shall not transport or cause or permit a deer in velvet to be transported unless the journey is of 50 kilometres or less and special precautions are taken to protect it from injury or unnecessary suffering.

(1)

1986 c. 14