The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (c 45) is an Act

Act of Parliament

An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...

 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom

Parliament of the United Kingdom

The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...

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It is the first overhaul of pet law since the Protection of Animals Act 1911

Protection of Animals Act 1911

The Protection of Animals Act 1911 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It received Royal Assent on 18 August 1911.The act consolidated several previous pieces of legislation, among others repealing the Cruelty to Animals Act 1849 and the Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act 1900...

, which it largely replaced. It also superseded and consolidated more than 20 other pieces of legislation, such as the Protection of Animals Act 1934

Protection of Animals Act 1934

The Protection of Animals Act 1934 was an act of the British parliament effectively making rodeo, as it then existed, illegal in England, Scotland and Wales...

 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960

Abandonment of Animals Act 1960

The Abandonment of Animals Act 1960 was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It received Royal Assent on 2 June 1960....

. The Act introduced the new welfare offence. This means that animal owners have a positive duty of care, and outlaws neglecting to provide for their animals' basic needs, such as access to adequate nutrition and veterinary care. It outlaws tail docking of dogs for cosmetic reasons, with an exemption for "working" dogs, like those used by the police, the armed forces or as service dog

Service dog

A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities including visual or hearing impairment, and also to help people with mental disabilities including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and severe depression...

s.

The corresponding Act for Scotland is the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006

Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament. It received Royal Assent on 11 July 2006.The act consolidated, repealed and replaced many other pieces of legislation, such as the Protection of Animals Act 1934 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960.The act bans tail...

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Section 68 - Commencement

The following orders have been made under this section:

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1) (England) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/499 (C. 20))
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) (England) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2711 (C. 105))

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1) (Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1030 (W. 97) (C. 43))
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3065 (W. 262) (C. 120))

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1) (Scotland) Order 2007 (S.S.I. 2007/519 (C. 44))