Explanatory Memorandum

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

2011 CHAPTER 16

29 March 2011

Commentary on Sections

Part 4 - Enforcement

Post-Conviction Powers

Section 34: Seizure of animals in connection with disqualification

This section enables a court to combine a disqualification order with an order that any animals owned or kept by the person disqualified be seized, where continued ownership or possession would put the person in breach of the disqualification. Such an order could be made by the court when a person was convicted of any of the offences under the sections relating to unnecessary suffering, prohibited procedures, docking of dogs’ tails, administration of poisons, abandonment, fighting, welfare, not complying with an improvement notice, operating without a required licence or registration where this is required or of a breach of a previous disqualification order.