Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Aims to make it easier to protect seized dogs by allowing authorities to rehome them in some cases instead of keeping them in kennels for months or years while court cases are ongoing. It would also tighten dog licensing by linking licences to microchips and requiring owners to prove registration details, making it easier to identify dogs and their owners. It matters because it could improve dog welfare, cut costs for animal charities, and make enforcement against smuggling and abuse more effective.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to facilitate the rehoming of seized dogs in certain circumstances and to amend the licensing of dogs and for those purposes to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and Control of Dogs Act 1986 and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 21 March 2025