Animal Welfare
Date of request: 23 August 2024
Reference: FOI1-1073-24
Request
For the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 (up to the present day), I request data on arrests made under or in relation to The Animal Welfare Act. Specifically, I am seeking the following details:
- Total Number of Arrests: The total number of arrests made under or related to The Animal Welfare Act for each of the specified years.
- Animal Involved: Please specify the type of animal(s) involved in each incident (e.g., dog, cat, horse, farm animals, etc.).
- Type of Crime Committed: A detailed description of the crime committed in each case (e.g., neglect, mutilation, poisoning, illegal sale, theft, etc.).
- Geographical Location: If possible, please provide the geographical location (e.g., city, county, or police jurisdiction) where the arrest was made.
- Outcome of the Arrest: Please specify the outcome of the arrest, if available (e.g., charges filed, conviction, acquittal, ongoing investigation, etc.).
Response
Q1
Please find table below which provides the number of arrests for each year 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Also provided are the offences used under the Animal Welfare Act.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Sum: | ||
| Breach a disqualification imposed after conviction – Animal Welfare Act 2006 | 108/36 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal | 108/29 | 9 | 8 | 17 | |||
| Duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare – Animal Welfare Act 2006 | 108/34 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| Responsible person fail to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal | 108/29 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Sum: | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 23 |
Q2
As this is not a centrally recorded field, we have conducted a spot check into each offence. Please note that not all crimes have this information recorded.
In the 22 crime reports that we have reviewed, the following animals have been recorded
- Dogs
- Cats
- Horse
- Seagulls
Q3
Please find above in question 1, the description of the crime those individuals have been arrested for.
Q4
Please find below table which provides the location where individuals have been arrested for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
| Place of Arrest | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Sum: |
| BRADLEY STOKE | 1 | 1 | ||||
| BRIDGWATER | 1 | 1 | ||||
| BRISTOL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | ||
| BURNHAM ON SEA | 1 | 1 | ||||
| CHARFIELD | 1 | 1 | ||||
| CHIPPING SODBURY | 1 | 1 | ||||
| ILMINSTER | 2 | 2 | ||||
| KEYNSHAM | 1 | 1 | ||||
| KINGSWOOD | 1 | 1 | ||||
| PATCHWAY | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||
| PUCKLECHURCH | 1 | 1 | ||||
| TAUNTON | 1 | 1 | ||||
| WESTON-SUPER-MARE | 1 | 1 | ||||
| YEOVIL | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 22 |
Q5
Please find the below table which provides the outcomes of the arrests. Please note that the number of outcomes are higher than arrests. This may be due to a suspect being arrest for more than one offence.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Sum: | |
| Charge/Reported | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| Non Charge Disposals | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Police Bail | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Postal Requisition | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Released Without Charge | 7 | 5 | 1 | 13 | ||
| Under Investigation | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | ||
|
(blank) |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Total | 17 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 43 |