Animal welfare system under fire: experts call for fundamental reforms

A recent report by the British Sentience Committee calls for a comprehensive review of the enforcement of animal welfare laws. Among other things, the independent analysis criticizes inconsistent controls, unclear responsibilities and insufficiently trained inspectors. It is particularly alarming that the majority of possible violations are not pursued by government agencies but by the animal welfare organization RSPCA - a model that is not sustainable in the long term, according to the report.

The RSPCA, which currently handles around 85% of all animal welfare cases in the UK, confirmed to Horse & Hound that it has been actively talking to the government for two years about handing over this role to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The organization feels increasingly overwhelmed, particularly in cases involving organized crime, and is calling for the state to be more involved.

World Horse Welfare also expressly welcomes the report's recommendations. According to Kim Ayling, Head of Public Affairs, the lack of action against horse smuggling, for example, shows clear enforcement deficits. She also criticized the fact that the report does not provide for the central recording of animal husbandry bans - an instrument that is essential for effective animal welfare.

The Department for the Environment (Defra) has announced that it will carefully consider the report's recommendations.