Welfare legislation
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 contains general laws relating to animal welfare under this legislation. It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal.
The Act also contains a duty of care to animals. This means anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the needs of the animal are met. So a person has to look after an animal’s welfare as well as to ensure that it does not suffer.
The welfare of farmed animals is additionally protected by a series of regulations covering transport, farm premises and slaughterhouses. Statutory codes of guidance accompany these regulations.
The Animal Health website can offer advice and guidance on these regulations.
Animal Health (external website)
Farm Livestock
For any complaints about the welfare of farmed livestock contact the animal health duty officer by:
Email: animal.health@eastriding.gov.uk
Telephone: (01482) 396107
Fax: (01482) 396191
Companion animals
Companion animals are all those animals which are kept by humans for companionship and are often referred to as pets. We can offer advice on companion animals.
All complaints in relation to companion animals should be referred directly to the council’s dog warden service who can be contacted by:
Email: animal.wardens@eastriding.gov.uk
Telephone: (01482) 396301
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Good stockmanship is vital in the fight against animal disease. Monitoring animals for signs of disease and following good farming practices is about essential ways to reduce the risk of disease and preventing the spread of disease.
If the complaint or request the condition of livestock on farms or the disposal of fallen livestock
Contact the animal health duty officer by:
Email:animal.health@eastriding.gov.uk
Telephone: (01482) 396107
Fax: (01482) 396191
If the complaint or request is about nuisance (for example noise or smell issues) from a farm
Contact the environmental control section by:
Email: noise.control@eastriding.gov.uk
Telephone: 01482 396301
Fax: 01482 396102
If the complaint or request is about working conditions on farms
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website can provide further information on working conditions on farms.
Health and Safety Executive (external website)
If the complaint or request is about the condition of watercourses
The Environment Agency (EA) website can provide further information on the condition of watercourses.
Environment Agency (external website)
If the complaint or request is about the conditions of public rights of way
The council's countryside access team can help. Further information is available on the countryside access pages.
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