The Government has been forced to scrap plans for compulsory dog insurance less than a two weeks since they were revealed in leaked Defra documents.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has now ruled out the idea.

Apparently, the climbdown followed protests…

The BVA has welcomed reports that the Government will consult on a cull of badgers in areas worst affected by bovine tuberculosis

Professor Bill Reilly, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: "Reports that the Government wishes to move…

Acoording to news reports, a government minister has said that a package of measures to encourage responsible pet ownership is on the way, and that may include compulsory microchipping.

Replying to a question in the House of Lords, Lord Taylor of Holbeach…

The Government has announced that it is extending existing dangerous dogs laws to apply to private property, closing a loophole in the current law which only applies to public land.

Jim Paice, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, said: "We've all…

The Government has announced that from 6 April 2016 all dogs will be required to have a microchip.

This will give owners 3 years to comply with new legislation being drafted by Defra.

According to Defra, 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost each year at…

As of the start of this week, police forces and local authorities have new legal powers designed to reduce the number of dog attacks.

For the first time, police and local authorities will be able to demand that owners take action to prevent a dog attack…

Following the confirmation of avian flu in turkeys at a farm near Louth in Lincolnshire on 16th December, the government has announced a temporary suspension on gatherings of some species of birds in England Scotland and Wales.

The ban on gatherings applies…

The Government has announced plans to introduce introduce tougher dog breeding licensing rules in what is being described as the biggest reform of the pet trade in 20 years.

The new rules will make it illegal to sell puppies younger than eight weeks and…

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed today that the sentience of animals will continue to be recognised and protections strengthened when the United Kingdom leaves the EU.

Mr Gove ministerial statement followed the brouhaha last week when…

Following MP's vote last month against enshrining the animal welfare provisions of Article 13 of the Lisbon Treaty into UK law, the Government has now published a draft bill for a new animal welfare law that would replace Article 13 post-Brexit.

The Government has announced that it is developing new proposals to crack down on puppies being reared in unhealthy circumstances by unscrupulous breeders who disregard their welfare.

Proposals being considered include insisting that dog breeders only…

The government has today launched a call for evidence which seeks views on the banning of third party sales of puppies, which would mean anyone wanting to buy or adopt a dog would have to deal directly with a breeder or one of the country's rehoming centres…

The Government has announced plans to ban the use of electric shock training collars in England.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and the use of these punitive devices can cause harm and suffering, whether intentionally…

The Government has announced that remote controlled electric shock collars for pets will be banned in England, following a consultation which attracted over 7000 responses.

Whilst the decision has been welcomed by the BVA and leading animal charities…

The Government has announced that veterinary medicines have been put on a list of 'critical goods' to be shipped into the country using government-secured freight capacity in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The Government says that contracts have…

The Government has announced that it has accepted the recommendation of the Migration Advisory Committee that veterinary surgeons should be added to the Shortage Occupation List.

The announcement came in the form of a written statement by the then Home…

The government has launched a call for evidence on cat microchipping, to find out what the effect of compulsory microchipping would be on owners, rescue and rehoming centres and cats themselves.

Although microchipping has been a legal requirement for…

The Government has announced plans for a new law to make it compulsory to microchip cats before they reach the age of 20 weeks and their contact details stored and kept up to date in a pet microchipping database.

Owners found not to have microchipped their…