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Welfare of animals

Regulations with respect to welfare of livestock

10.  In section 2(1) of the 1972 Act (regulations with respect to the welfare of livestock), after paragraph (c) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

(ca)for prohibiting or regulating the movement of livestock;

(cb)for requiring such information as may be prescribed to be made available to persons concerned with livestock by such persons as may be prescribed;

(cc)for ensuring that persons concerned with livestock are aware of any codes under section 3;.

Extension of Part I of 1972 Act to selling of livestock

11.  In section 7 of the 1972 Act (interpretation)—

(a)in the definition of “agricultural land”, for the words “or keeping” there shall be substituted the words “, keeping or selling”; and

(b)after the definition of “livestock” there shall be inserted the following definition—

“selling” includes exposing for sale and accommodating before or after selling.

Sale of animals as pets in street or public place

12.—(1) In section 10 of the 1972 Act (offences and penalties), after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

(1A) Any person who carries on a business of selling animals as pets in a street or public place, or from a vehicle, stall or barrow, shall be guilty of an offence..

(2) For subsection (2) of that section (penalties) there shall be substituted the following subsection—

(2) Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) or subsection (1A) shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale or to both, and any person guilty of an offence under subsection (1)(d) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale..

(3) In section 12(1) of that Act (interpretation), in the definition of “petshop”, the words “structure (whether moveable or not), vehicle, cart or barrow” shall cease to have effect.

Power to extend provisions of Part II of 1972 Act to livery establishments, etc.

13.—(1) After section 11 of the 1972 Act (regulations), there shall be inserted the following section—

Livery establishments and other premises where horses are kept.

11A.(1) The Department may by order extend such provisions of this Part—

(a)to such livery establishments;

(b)to such premises where horses are kept in the course of a business, not being a livery or riding establishment,

subject to such modifications, as may be specified in the order.

(2) Orders under this section shall be subject to affirmative resolution..

(2) In section 12(1) of that Act (interpretation), after the definition of “animal boarding establishment” there shall be inserted the following definition—

“livery establishment” means any premises where horses are kept in return for payment, being premises which are not a riding establishment;.

Restriction of definition of “zoological establishment”

14.—(1) In section 12(1) of the 1972 Act (interpretation), in the definition of “zoological establishment”, before the word “animals” there shall be inserted the word “wild”.

(2) In consequence of paragraph (1), at the end of the definition of “animal” in that subsection there shall be added the words “and “wild animal” means an animal not normally domesticated in Northern Ireland;”.

Increase of fine for offences of cruelty

15.  In section 25(1) of the 1972 Act (penalties for offences of cruelty), for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the words “to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.”.