Animal Welfare and Advice Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Animal Welfare and Advice - Research Paper Example Moreover, the Animal Welfare Act (1996) states that to purchase an animal, one must be over sixteen years old. Animal health officers, the police and Local councils have the authority of enforcing this Act. The law may ban anyone who is cruel to an animal or does not cater to its welfare needs from owning animals. He or she could also face a fine of up to twenty thousand dollars and/or sent to jail for up to 6 months (Directgov.uk, Para 1-3). As Freeman points out in the Animal Sheltering magazine article titled ‘Help Comes for Neglected Pets, One Step at a Time’, it is not hard for one to detect outright cruelty on animals including a dog set on fire, puppies bagged and thrown in the river or a cat shot with arrows. However, there are other less obvious forms of neglect such as tying up a dog all day on a three-foot chain with no food and water among others, a type of neglect that often stems from ignorance. All forms of neglect deny the animals of their rights and one should not ignore them. Anyone can take steps against animal neglect and cruelty. Perino maintains that when one finds an abandoned, he or she becomes responsible for the safety and welfare of that animal – providing shelter, food and clean water immediately. One should view the animal more closely for possible injuries and in case it has injuries, he should take it to a veterinarian immediately or to the pet to the Animal Emergency Cli nic. PETA.org documents that if one spot an abused or neglected animal, he/she should first, find out the agency that investigates and enforces the anti-cruelty laws in his/her town, county or state. This may be either a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to  Animals or a taxpayer-funded animal control/shelter or local humane society.