Conduct Towards Authorised Officers and Powers of Entry Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
We are writing to remind all licensed dog breeders of the legal obligations and expectations regarding conduct towards authorised officers acting under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
In recent inspections, some officers have been subjected to unacceptable behaviour, including verbal abuse and refusal of entry. We wish to make it unequivocally clear that such conduct will not be tolerated.
Under Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, authorised inspectors have the legal right to enter premises for the purpose of inspecting compliance with licence conditions and other relevant provisions of the Act. This includes:
- Entry to premises specified in a licence as authorised for the activity.
- Entry to premises where the inspector reasonably believes the licensed activity is being carried out.
Please note that while entry to private dwellings requires 24 hours’ notice, refusal of entry to authorised premises or obstructive behaviour may constitute an offence.
Obstruction of an authorised officer in the execution of their duties may lead to legal consequences. This includes but is not limited to:
- Refusing access to premises without lawful justification.
- Verbally abusing or intimidating officers.
- Interfering with the inspection process.
Such actions may be considered obstruction under the Act, and could result in enforcement action, including prosecution.
Refusal of entry and/ or aggression will be taken into account and may affect the decision to issue or renew a licence. We urge all breeders to cooperate fully with inspections and treat officers with respect and professionalism. These inspections are essential to ensure the welfare of animals and uphold the standards expected of licensed breeders.
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