'More cash' plea to aid animals that suffer

ANIMAL campaigners yesterday demanded that more resources be made available to help councils enforce animal cruelty laws.

The Animal Health and Welfare Act, which brought in stiffer penalties for those who abuse animals, came into effect a year ago.

Pointing out that councils were mainly responsible for enforcing the new laws, the campaign group Advocates for Animals said local auth-orities needed more resources to help them do so.

Councils are responsible for licensing and inspecting pet shops, the keepers of dangerous animals, zoos, boarding kennels, catteries and dog-breeding and riding establishments.

After the act was brought in, animal welfare officers had, for the first time, the power to take animals into care to prevent suffering - rather than having to wait until they were ill-treated.

Detailed secondary legislation under the act could also see councils take on the licensing of livery stables and animal sanctuaries.

The group said there were only 32 animal health and welfare inspectors working for Scottish local authorities.