Domestic abuse, controlling and coercive behaviours and companion animals – Family Law

Posted October 11th, 2022 in animals, coercive & controlling behaviour, domestic violence, news by tracey

‘Trying to define and prove controlling and coercive behaviours both before and after Re H v N 2020 [2021] EWCA Civ 448 has been difficult and occasionally contradictory. This Article looks at ways in which companion animal abuse or threats to them, can help shed light on what we mean by controlling and coercive behaviours and how such can provide very powerful evidence to prove it. It also suggests that by introducing this evidence into our thinking and case law we shine a light on the links between domestic abuse, child abuse and animal abuse and so better protect not only human victims of abuse but also the animals we share our lives and family life with.’

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Family Law, 10th October 2022

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Give legal rights to animals, trees and rivers, say experts – The Guardian

‘Granting legal rights and protections to non-human entities such as animals, trees and rivers is essential if countries are to tackle climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, experts have said. The authors of a report titled Law in the Emerging Bio Age say legal frameworks have a key part to play in governing human interactions with the environment and biotechnology.’

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The Guardian, 10th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Joshua Jowitt: Some Thoughts on the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted September 7th, 2022 in animal cruelty, animals, constitutional law, news by sally

‘The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 is a short piece of legislation of only six sections. The main purpose of the Act is the creation of a new Animal Sentience Committee (s.1; hereafter “ASC”). Comprised of independent, non-partisan experts from a range of relevant fields, their role is to scrutinise the extent to which the formulation or implementation of government policy has paid “due regard to the ways in which the policy might have an adverse effect on the welfare of animals as sentient beings” (s.2(2)). Although the actual impact of the Act is as yet uncertain – to be expected given that, at the time of writing, the membership of the ASC has yet to be formally announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – I hope that this post will show why the future operation of the ASC is not only of interest to Animal Lawyers, but to Public Lawyers more broadly.’

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Constitutional Law Association, 7th September 2022

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Ceredigion salmon poacher pays just £1 of £61,000 ordered by court – BBC News

Posted July 11th, 2022 in animals, confiscation, gangs, hunting, news, proceeds of crime by tracey

‘The leader of a poaching gang ordered to pay more than £61,000 has paid back just £1 after saying he had no money.’

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BBC news, 9th July 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Men’s dog walk ban after hare coursing conviction – BBC News

Posted July 6th, 2022 in animal cruelty, animals, dogs, fines, hunting, news by sally

‘Two men have been banned from taking a dog for a walk anywhere in England and Wales after being convicted of hare coursing.’

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BBC News, 6th July 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK government to scrap European law protecting special habitats – The Guardian

‘Environment secretary George Eustice wants to tear up a key piece of European law that environmentalists say protects cherished habitats in the UK.’

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The Guardian, 30th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK watchdog bans vegan TV ad for showing violence towards animals – The Guardian

Posted June 8th, 2022 in advertising, animal cruelty, animals, complaints, news, ombudsmen, veganism by sally

‘The advertising watchdog has banned a TV ad for Vegan Friendly UK after receiving complaints about graphic violence towards animals.’

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The Guardian, 8th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Cat ban’ case could provide Equality Act clarity for service providers – OUT-LAW.com

‘A case brought by an autistic man against a UK supermarket chain for refusing entry to his assistance cat could help to clarify a complex area of equality law, according to one legal expert.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 6th June 2022

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2022 c. 28 – Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022

2022 c. 27 – Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Act 2022

2022 c. 26 – Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022

2022 c. 22 – Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

2022 c. 20 – Professional Qualifications Act 2022

2022 c. 17 – Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022

2022 c. 36 – Nationality and Borders Act 2022

2022 c. 34 – British Sign Language Act 2022

2022 c. 32 – Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

2022 c. 29 – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022

2022 c. 24 – Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Act 2022

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

Posted May 6th, 2022 in animals, disabled persons, education, insurance, legislation by tracey

2022 c. 25 – Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Act 2022

2022 c. 23 – Subsidy Control Act 2022

2022 c. 21 – Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022

2022 c. 19 – Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022

2022 c. 18 – Down Syndrome Act 2022

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Adders and slowworms to gain extra protection under new system in England – The Guardian

‘Adders and slowworms will be among animals given extra protection under plans by the government to “streamline” the process for protecting nature-rich areas.’

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The Guardian, 29th March 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK trophy hunting import ban to be brought forward – The Guardian

Posted March 23rd, 2022 in animal cruelty, animals, bills, government departments, hunting, news by sally

‘A trophy hunting import ban will be brought forward in coming months despite opposition from Conservative backbenchers, the environment secretary has said.’

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The Guardian, 22nd March 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grandmother given restraining order for refusing to stop feeding ‘sad’ horse – The Independent

Posted November 22nd, 2021 in animals, harassment, news, restraining orders, sentencing by tracey

‘A grandmother has been convicted of harassment for feeding a retired racehorse that she thought was being neglected.’

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The Independent, 20th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Pet theft taskforce report – Home Office

Posted September 3rd, 2021 in animals, government departments, press releases, reports, theft by tracey

‘This report sets out the findings of the taskforce and the recommendations that the government will be taking forward to tackle the issue of pet theft.’

Full press release

Home Office, 3rd September 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Geronimo the alpaca is killed after four-year battle to save him fails – The Guardian

Posted September 1st, 2021 in animals, government departments, health, news by sally

‘After four years of court battles, protests and celebrity interventions, Geronimo, the UK’s most divisive alpaca, has been put down by government officials.’

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The Guardian, 31st August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Thirty years of the Dangerous Dogs Act: time for change – 1 MCB Chambers

Posted August 25th, 2021 in animals, chambers articles, dogs, legal history, news by sally

‘On the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, dangerous dogs and animal welfare expert Pamela Rose reflects on whether the statute is fit for purpose.’

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1 MCB Chambers, August 2021

Source: 1mcb.com

Final legal effort to save Geronimo the alpaca thrown out by judge – The Guardian

Posted August 19th, 2021 in agriculture, animals, euthanasia, injunctions, news by sally

‘A last-ditch legal attempt to save Geronimo the alpaca has been rejected by a high court judge.’

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The Guardian, 18th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Geronimo the alpaca gets temporary reprieve ahead of review – BBC News

Posted August 17th, 2021 in animals, government departments, health, injunctions, news by tracey

‘An alpaca whose life hangs in the balance has received a temporary reprieve, his supporters have said.’

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BBC News, 17th August 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK could allow animal tests for cosmetic ingredients for first time since 1998 – The Guardian

Posted August 11th, 2021 in animal cruelty, animals, health & safety, news by tracey

‘Ministers have opened the door to expanding the use of animal testing to ingredients used in cosmetic products for the first time in 23 years, an animal welfare charity has said.’

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The Guardian, 11th August 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pets and Divorce: Who keeps the dog? – Family Law

Posted August 6th, 2021 in animals, dispute resolution, divorce, families, news by tracey

‘The coronavirus pandemic has seen a boom in the number of couples welcoming new pets into their homes. According to the Pet Food Manufactures Association, an estimated 3.2 million UK households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. However, in instances where a relationship breaks down and a couple separates or divorces, who keeps the dog?’

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Family Law, 5th August 2021

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk