Since 1824, the RSPCA has remained steadfast in its mission to create a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness and compassion. As we approach our 200th anniversary, we are working to inspire a cultural shift towards a society that actively promotes animal welfare and understands its connection to human well-being and environmental sustainability. We are more determined than ever to unite communities to work together for animal welfare and to prevent animal cruelty before it occurs.
Standing alongside us on the frontline of that mission are local authorities, responsible for enforcing swathes of animal welfare legislation. Long responsible for stray dog services, as well as licensing many activities involving animals, but we mustn’t also forget the connectedness of animal welfare and mental health, hoarding, child safety and neglect, as well as many other issues in society. Local authorities have a unique role to play in protecting and promoting animal welfare, and, in doing so, inspire compassion and respect towards animals - as well as tackle other issues.
Our annual Kindness Index, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the RSPCA - and in conjunction with the Scottish SPCA and USPCA - polls thousands of UK adults to gauge how kind we are as a nation towards animals. It may be a surprise, but we’re not alone in our expectation that governments - at all levels - should protect animal welfare, indeed, 83% agree animal welfare should be protected by the government through legislation.
Despite the importance people attach to animal welfare, currently there are wide differences in how local authorities are applying standards and approaches to animal welfare and enforcement. There’s also confusion about where responsibility lies - with legislation concerning both animal health and welfare disconnected yet inherently and intrinsically linked, with the situation worsened by different authorities holding different responsibilities. Fundamentally, as it stands, animal welfare enforcement is inconsistent and ineffective - and not at the fault of those enforcing and delivering the services, but because the existing model isn’t fit-for-purpose. If we continue, there is a real and long-lasting risk to animal welfare and the UK’s standing as the global leader.
There are many challenges and obstacles, but we need to remain committed to exploring solutions. We need a new way of thinking; a new way of enforcing animal welfare legislation that truly and sustainably protects, promotes and improves animal welfare.
In collaboration with the All-Party Group on Animal Welfare (APGAW), the RSPCA contributed to their “Improving the Effectiveness of Animal Welfare Enforcement” report; exploring the current challenges and obstacles to good, proactive enforcement and a series of fit-for-purpose and cost-neutral recommendations.
We believe the situation can be improved by amending legislation to require local authorities to utilise Dedicated Animal Welfare Officers (DAWOs) to enforce animal welfare and related legislation, including and crucially the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (England) Regulations 2018 and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 in Wales.
Local authorities could access DAWOs through direct employment, or via another local authority as part of existing and largely successful models of shared services. We’re also calling for an assessment as to how upper-tier authorities work with lower-tiers, whether licensing responsibilities would be better suited to authorities who already deal with animal health legislation, or at least a formal relationship sharing knowledge, expertise and support between the two.
If this model is to be a success, it must be supported by regional and national animal welfare forums and panels with representation from a wide range of enforcement agencies, such as local authorities themselves, RSPCA inspectors, the police, APHA, Defra, devolved governments, and other animal welfare organisations.
Together, these forums and panels can collaborate, share information, identify trends and emerging issues, share resources and collectively develop policies and procedures. If supported by a central fund, a National Animal Welfare Board - linked to the National Animal Health & Welfare Panel - could bid for additional resources to collaboratively target large-scale animal welfare breaches.
It’s clear we need a new model of enforcing animal welfare legislation that’s fit-for-purpose, future-proof, and effective in protecting, promoting and improving the welfare of animals. The recommendations put forward are cost-neutral and tested solutions to tackle the inconsistency and ineffectiveness of animal welfare enforcement. We’re not pretending these recommendations are a silver bullet, there will always be room for improvement, but they at least provide a tried, tested and successful model to explore.
Among all of this, we should not and must not forget the dedicated local authority staff doing their best to enforce legislation, deliver crucial public services, and, in many cases, go above and beyond to deliver for animals and their welfare. This proposal is a solution that provides staff with much-needed support and opportunities to share knowledge, best practices, and develop their confidence to enforce legislation effectively and protect animal welfare. Our PawPrints awards scheme - open for entries until 7th July 2023 - provides staff with recognition and celebrates their inspirational commitment to animals and their welfare.
Lee Gingell is public affairs manager at the RSPCA
