COUNCIL chiefs say new animal welfare penalties will strengthen the approach to protecting animals.
Seven have been issues in the last year of failures to safeguard against suffering, injury or death, as well poor record keeping.
Trading Standards say the penalty notices provide “quicker and more proportionate” ways for them to tackle breaches of legislation.
Fines of up to £5,000 can also be used as an alternative to prosecution through the courts for certain offences.
Cllr Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Maintaining high standards of animal health and welfare is essential, both to prevent unnecessary suffering and to protect the wider farming and animal‑keeping community.
“We take offending in this area extremely seriously and the introduction of the penalty notices gives our officers an additional enforcement option. While the notices are appropriate in certain cases, it does not lessen the authority’s commitment to taking strong action. The notices give us a faster, fairer way to deal with welfare breaches, supporting early action while keeping tough measures for serious cases.
“Where individuals fail to meet their legal responsibilities, they will be brought to task and could face prosecution.”
Anyone with concerns relating to animal health and welfare can call 01785 330356 or go online to the Trading Standards website.
