THE British Horse Society has welcomed Government consultation on an animal welfare bill and proposed updating of laws protecting domestic or captive animals.
Among issues the society wants addressed in any new legislation is introduction of powers to enable welfare organisations to remove an animal to a safe place if it is being kept in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering.
Under current legislation, organisations like the BHS have to wait for an animal to deteriorate sufficiently before they can act in cases where the owner refuses to co-operate.
Other issues the society will ask the Government to address are regulation of livery yards, indiscriminate breeding and overproduction of poor quality, unsaleable animals, tethering, straying and abandonment.
The BHS's chief executive Kay Driver said: "The British Horse Society is the watchdog for horse and pony welfare and our volunteer welfare officers are the first contact for anyone with worries.
"We know changes are needed and will make a formal response to the Government in due course."
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