Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972
PART I
WELFARE OF LIVESTOCK ON AGRICULTURAL LAND
1
Prevention of unnecessary pain and distress for livestock.
2
Regulations with respect to the welfare of livestock.
3
Codes of recommendations for the welfare of livestock.
4
Expenditure on free advice on the welfare of livestock.
5
Powers of entry and inspection.
6
Penalties.
7
Interpretation of Part I.
PART II
CONTROL OF PETSHOPS, ANIMAL BOARDING, RIDING AND ZOOLOGICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
8
Licensing of petshops, animal boarding, riding and zoological establishments.
9
Powers of entry and inspection.
10
Offences and penalties.
11
Regulations with respect to the safety, etc., of animals.
11A
Livery establishments and other premises where horses are kept.
12
Interpretation of Part II.
PART III
PROTECTION OF ANIMALS
13
Acts of cruelty.
14
Offences in relation to operations.
15
Exceptions to sections 13 and 14.
16
Powers of veterinary inspectors.
17
Export of horses.
18
Docking and nicking of horses.
19
Offences in relation to the fighting, baiting or exhibition of animals.
20
Offences of animal failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision.
21
Traps and snares.
22
Poisonous substances.
23
Injured animals.
24
Power of entry.
25
Penalties.
26
Power of the court to order destruction of an animal.
27
Power to disqualify persons convicted of cruelty to animals.
28
Cost of caring for neglected animals.
PART IV
MISCELLANEOUS
29
Interpretation.
30
Financial provision.
31
Repeals, short title and commencement.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
OPERATIONS WHICH MAY BE PERFORMED WITHOUT AN ANAESTHETIC
1
Any experiment duly authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 .
2
The making of injections or extractions by means of a hollow needle.
3
The rendering in emergency of first aid for the purpose of saving life or relieving...
4
Any minor operation performed by a veterinary surgeon, being an operation which by reason of...
5
Any minor operation, whether performed by a veterinary surgeon or by some other person, being...
6
Tail docking— (i) in the case of dogs, before their eyes are open; (ii) in...
7
Castration— (i) by the application of a rubber ring or other constricting device to a...
8
The disbudding of calves by chemical cauterisation applied before the second week of life.
9
The amputation of the dew claws of a dog before its eyes are open.
Schedule 2—Repeals

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972
1972 Chapter 7
An Act to make provision with respect to the welfare of livestock on agricultural land; to regulate the keeping of petshops, animal boarding, riding and zoological establishments; and to consolidate with amendments certain enactments relating to the protection of animals from unnecessary suffering and for purposes connected therewith.
[23rd March 1972]
Act repealed (prosp.) by Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 16), ss. 57(2), 59, Sch. 5 (with ss. 1(2), 52(1), 53, 54) and the repeal being partly in operation, as to which see individual sections