UK Act of Parliament 2006 United Kingdom

Animal Welfare Act 2006

What this means for your business

15 obligations
14 penalties
14 can imprison
7 guides
Enforced by
APHA, DEFRA
Applies to
United Kingdom
On this page
15 compliance obligations, 7 practical guides
Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

15 compliance obligations under this legislation — 14 can result in imprisonment.

Management duties 1

Cooperate with animal‑welfare inspectors during warrant searches

If an inspector serves a warrant to enter your premises (for example a farm, pet shop or any place where animals are kept), you must identify yourself, show the warrant and give you a copy, allow any assistance or equipment the inspector requires, and leave the premises as you found them. After the search you must keep the returned warrant for 12 months and let you inspect it on request.

Occupier Schedule 2 APHA When an animal‑welfare inspector executes a warrant to enter your premises

Offences and prohibitions 13

Breach a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act

6 months imprisonment

If you have been disqualified from keeping or having custody of animals by a court order under section 34 and you still keep animals in Scotland, you are committing a criminal offence. On conviction you face up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

Any Person s.46 APHA

Breach animal disqualification order

51 weeks imprisonment

If a court has ordered you not to own, keep, deal with, transport or arrange transport of animals and you ignore that order, you are committing a criminal offence. A conviction can result in a fine and/or imprisonment, although the exact maximum penalties and how the case is tried are set elsewhere in the Act.

Any Person s.34 APHA

Breach of animal disqualification order in Scotland

51 weeks imprisonment

If you have custody of an animal while a Scottish court has issued a disqualification order prohibiting you from doing so, you commit an offence. On conviction you can be sentenced to up to 51 weeks in prison, fined up to £1,000 (level 3 on the standard scale), or both. The offence applies to any person or business that keeps animals.

Any Person Schedule 3 APHA

Carry out animal activity without a required licence or registration

51 weeks imprisonment

If your business carries out an activity that involves animals and that activity is listed in the regulations as needing a licence or registration, you must have the appropriate authorisation. Running the activity without a licence or without being registered is a criminal offence.

Any Person s.13 APHA

Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

6 months imprisonment

If you, or someone you are responsible for, cause a protected animal to suffer unnecessarily – for example by failing to act, by allowing another person to do so, or by not taking reasonable steps to stop it – you commit a criminal offence. On conviction you could face a fine that is unlimited and up to six months in prison. The offence can be tried either in the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court.

Any Person s.4 APHA

Corporate and officer liability for animal welfare offences

51 weeks imprisonment

If your company commits an offence under the Animal Welfare Act and a director, manager, secretary or any similar officer consented, turned a blind eye, or was negligent, both the company and that individual can be prosecuted. The offence carries the same penalties as the underlying animal‑welfare breach, so the corporate body and the responsible officer face whatever fine or imprisonment applies to the primary offence.

Director/Officer s.57 APHA

Fail to meet animal welfare duties

51 weeks imprisonment

If you are responsible for an animal – for example as a farmer, pet‑shop owner, laboratory keeper or any other business that keeps animals – you must take reasonable steps to meet the animal’s needs for environment, diet, normal behaviour, companionship and protection from pain or disease. Failing to do so is a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to fines and/or imprisonment, depending on how the offence is tried.

Any Person s.9 APHA

Fail to provide documents to animal‑welfare authority

51 weeks imprisonment

If you own an animal and a regulator (e.g. APHA) orders you to hand over documents that are needed to carry out a welfare order or directions, you must provide them within 10 days of the notice. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, with the case heard either in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.

Any Person s.56 APHA

Give or allow poisonous substances to be administered to protected animals

2 years imprisonment

If you or someone you authorise gives a poisonous or harmful drug to a protected animal – or you know the substance is harmful and allow the animal to take it – you are committing an offence. It also applies if you are responsible for an animal and you either permit another person to give a poisonous substance or fail to take reasonable steps to stop it. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.

Any Person s.7 APHA

Intentionally obstruct an inspector exercising animal‑welfare powers

51 weeks imprisonment

If you deliberately prevent an APHA inspector or a police constable from taking action to stop an animal’s suffering – for example by refusing them entry to your premises or stopping them from moving or destroying an animal – you are committing a criminal offence. A conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, but the exact limits are set elsewhere in the Animal Welfare Act.

Any Person s.18 APHA

Obstruct enforcement of animal welfare orders

51 weeks imprisonment

If you deliberately prevent a court‑ordered action – such as treatment, sale, disposal or destruction of an animal taken under the Animal Welfare Act – you commit a criminal offence. The offence applies to anyone who intentionally blocks the person carrying out the court’s order. On conviction the court can impose a fine (potentially unlimited) and/or imprisonment, although the exact maximum penalties are not set out in this section.

Any Person s.20 APHA

Sell animal under suspended deprivation order or obstruct animal order

6 months imprisonment

If you sell or otherwise dispose of an animal that is covered by a deprivation order that has been temporarily suspended, you commit an offence. It is also an offence to deliberately block someone carrying out a deprivation, seizure or interim order. On conviction in the magistrates' court you face an unlimited fine and/or up to six months' imprisonment.

Any Person s.50 APHA

Sell or prize an animal to someone under 16

51 weeks imprisonment

If you sell an animal or arrange for a child under 16 to win an animal as a prize, you are committing an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, unless the transaction meets one of the specific exceptions (e.g., the child is accompanied by an adult, a guardian has consented, or it is a family‑context arrangement). Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.

Any Person s.11 APHA

Registration and licensing 1

Obtain and keep a licence for animal‑welfare activities

51 weeks imprisonment

If your business carries out any activity that the Animal Welfare Act covers, you must apply for a licence from the local or national authority before you start. The licence can only be valid for up to three years, may have conditions, and must be renewed on time. Using the activity without a licence, or breaking its conditions, is a criminal offence and can attract unlimited fines and up to 51 weeks’ imprisonment.

Any Person Schedule 1 APHA Starting an activity that is regulated under the Animal Welfare Act 2006

Penalties for non-compliance

14 penalties under this legislation. 14 can result in imprisonment. 9 carry an unlimited fine.

Prison risk

Breach a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

Summary only s.46 Penalises: Breach a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare …
Prison risk

Breach animal disqualification order

Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only s.34 Penalises: Breach animal disqualification order
Prison risk

Carry out animal activity without a required licence or registration

Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only s.13 Penalises: Carry out animal activity without a required licence …
Prison risk

Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

Either way s.4 Penalises: Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal
Prison risk

Fail to meet animal welfare duties

Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only s.9 Penalises: Fail to meet animal welfare duties
Prison risk

Give or allow poisonous substances to be administered to protected animals

Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment

Either way s.7 Penalises: Give or allow poisonous substances to be administered …
Prison risk

Obstruct enforcement of animal welfare orders

Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only s.20 Penalises: Obstruct enforcement of animal welfare orders
Prison risk

Sell animal under suspended deprivation order or obstruct animal order

Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment

Summary only s.50 Penalises: Sell animal under suspended deprivation order or obstruct …
Prison risk

Obtain and keep a licence for animal‑welfare activities

Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only Schedule 1 Penalises: Obtain and keep a licence for animal‑welfare activities
Prison risk

Corporate and officer liability for animal welfare offences

Fine up to £2,500 and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only s.57 Penalises: Corporate and officer liability for animal welfare offences
Prison risk

Fail to provide documents to animal‑welfare authority

Fine up to £2,500 and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Either way s.56 Penalises: Fail to provide documents to animal‑welfare authority
Prison risk

Intentionally obstruct an inspector exercising animal‑welfare powers

Fine up to £2,500 and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only s.18 Penalises: Intentionally obstruct an inspector exercising animal‑welfare powers
Prison risk

Sell or prize an animal to someone under 16

Fine up to £2,500 and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Either way s.11 Penalises: Sell or prize an animal to someone under …
Prison risk

Breach of animal disqualification order in Scotland

Fine up to £1,000 and/or 51 weeks imprisonment

Summary only Schedule 3 Penalises: Breach of animal disqualification order in Scotland

Practical guidance

Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.

Sections and provisions

73 classified provisions from this legislation.

3 Duties 20 Offences and penalties 21 Powers 7 Definitions 6 Exemptions

Duties 3

  • Schedule 1 Regulations under section 13
  • Schedule 2 Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary reference
  • s.60 Crown application those powers

Offences and penalties 20

  • s.4 Unnecessary suffering
  • s.5 Mutilation
  • s.7 Administration of poisons etc.
  • s.9 Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare
  • s.11 Transfer of animals by way of sale or prize to persons under 16
  • s.12 Regulations to promote welfare
  • s.13 Licensing or registration of activities involving animals
  • s.18 Powers in relation to animals in distress
  • s.20 Orders in relation to animals taken under section 18(5)
  • s.30 Power of local authority to prosecute offences
  • s.32 Imprisonment or fine
  • s.34 Disqualification
  • s.39 Reimbursement of expenses relating to animals involved in fighting offences
  • s.40 Forfeiture of equipment used in offences
  • s.46 Effect in Scotland of disqualification under section 34
  • s.47 Deprivation orders in connection with offence under section 46(2)
  • s.50 Deprivation orders, seizure orders and interim orders: offences
  • s.56 Obtaining of documents in connection with carrying out orders etc.
  • s.57 Offences by bodies corporate
  • Schedule 3 Minor and consequential amendments

Powers 21

  • s.10 Improvement notices
  • s.14 Codes of practice
  • s.15 Making and approval of codes of practice: England
  • s.19 Power of entry for section 18 purposes
  • s.21 Orders under section 20: appeals
  • s.22 Seizure of animals involved in fighting offences
  • s.23 Entry and search under warrant in connection with offences
  • s.25 Inspection of records required to be kept by holder of licence
  • s.26 Inspection in connection with licences
  • s.27 Inspection in connection with registration
  • s.28 Inspection of farm premises
  • s.29 Inspection relating to assimilated law
  • s.35 Seizure of animals in connection with disqualification
  • s.36 Section 35: supplementary
  • s.38 Destruction of animals involved in fighting offences
  • s.42 Orders with respect to licences
  • s.45 Orders for reimbursement of expenses: right of appeal for non-offenders
  • s.54 Power to stop and detain vehicles
  • s.55 Power to detain vessels, aircraft and hovercraft
  • s.66 Transition
  • ... and 1 more powers

Definitions 7

  • s.1 Animals to which the Act applies animal vertebrate invertebrate
  • s.2 “Protected animal”
  • s.3 Responsibility for animals
  • s.48 Seizure orders where disqualification breached: Scotland local authority
  • s.51 Inspectors
  • s.59 Fishing
  • s.62 General interpretation appropriate national authority licence local authority

Exemptions 6

  • s.17 Revocation of codes of practice
  • s.33 Deprivation
  • s.37 Destruction in the interests of the animal
  • s.41 Orders under section 33, 35, 37, 38 or 40: pending appeals
  • s.58 Scientific research
  • s.61 Orders and regulations