A new law protecting animal welfare has passed into British law after receiving formal Royal Assent.
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill recognises that animals are complex living and feeling beings and as a result their welfare must be taken into consideration and protected.
The Donkey Sanctuary welcomed the announcement on 28 April.
“This is a great day for animal welfare in the UK,” said Ian Cawsey, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at The Donkey Sanctuary. “Donkeys and mules are amazing animals and they have the capacity for sensing and feeling, including positive emotions such as joy and happiness, as well as pain and loneliness. Acknowledging sentience means these issues can be part of future developments in animal welfare.
“The Donkey Sanctuary will always advocate for policy and legislation that helps to protect donkeys. This law means we can also build the case for their wellbeing, which is a great opportunity to take animal welfare to a higher level. We look forward to playing our part to ensure this new law leads to better outcomes for donkeys, mules and other animals”.
The charity is part of a coalition of over 50 animal protection organisations known as A Better Deal for Animals, which has been working to progress the bill and make it a duty for the government to consider animal welfare needs in its decision making.
