Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

2. Background and Policy Objectives

3. Consultation

4. Overview

5. Commentary on Sections

   1. Part 1 - Introductory

      1. Section 1 – Animals to which this Act applies

      2. Section 2 – Protected animals

      3. Section 3 – Responsibility for animals

   2. Part 2 - Protection of Animals

      1. Prevention of Harm

         1. Section 4 – Unnecessary suffering

         2. Section 5- Prohibited procedures

         3. Section 6 – Docking of dogs’ tails

         4. Section 7 - Administration of poisons

         5. Section 8 – Fighting

      2. Promotion of Welfare

         1. Section 9 – Ensuring welfare of animals

         2. Section 10 - Improvement notices

         3. Section 11 - Regulations for securing welfare of animals

         4. Section 12 - Licensing or registration of activities involving animals

         5. Section 13 - Prohibition on keeping of certain animals

         6. Section 14 – Abandonment

         7. Section 15 – Transfer of animals by way of sale or prize to persons under 16

         8. Section 16 - Codes of practice

   3. Part 3 - Animals in Distress

      1. Section 17 – Powers in relation to animals in distress

      2. Section 18 - Powers of entry for section 17 purposes

      3. Section 19 - Orders in relation to animals taken under section 17(5)

      4. Section 20 – Orders under section 19: appeals

   4. Part 4 - Enforcement

      1. Enforcement Powers

         1. Section 21 – Seizure of animals involved in fighting offences

         2. Section 22 - Entry and search under warrant in connection with offences

         3. Section 23 - Inspection of records required to be kept by holder of licence

         4. Section 24 - Inspection in connection with licences

         5. Section 25 - Inspection in connection with registration

         6. Section 26 – Inspection of premises to check compliance with regulations made under section 13

         7. Section 27 - Inspection of farm premises

         8. Section 28 - Inspection relating to Community obligations

      2. Prosecutions

         1. Section 29 - Power of councils to prosecute offences

         2. Section 30: Time limits for prosecutions

      3. Post-Conviction Powers

         1. Section 31: Penalties

         2. Section 32: Deprivation

         3. Section 33: Disqualification

         4. Section 34: Seizure of animals in connection with disqualification

         5. Section 35: Section 34: supplementary

         6. Section 36: Destruction in the interests of the animal

         7. Section 37: Destruction of animals involved in fighting offences

         8. Section 38: Reimbursement of expenses relating to animals involved in fighting offences

         9. Section 39: Forfeiture of equipment used in offences

         10. Section 40: Orders under section 32, 34, 36, 37 or 39: pending appeals

         11. Section 41: Orders with respect to licences

         12. Section 42: Termination of disqualification under section 33 or 41

         13. Section 43: Orders made on conviction for reimbursement of expenses

         14. Section 44: Orders for reimbursement of expenses: right of appeal for non-offenders

   5. Part 5 - General

      1. Section 45: Inspectors

      2. Section 46: Conditions for grant of warrant

      3. Section 47: Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary

      4. Section 48: Power to stop and detain vehicles

      5. Section 49: Power to detain vessels,

      6. Section 50: Obtaining of documents in connection with carrying out orders

      7. Section 51: Offences by bodies corporate

      8. Section 52: Scientific research

      9. Section 53: Hunting, coursing and fishing

      10. Section 54: Application to the Crown

   6. Part 6 - Supplementary

6. Hansard Reports