Review the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006

We’re campaigning for a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act to strengthen protections and close gaps in enforcement.

What we’re calling for

We’re calling for a review to modernise the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which, nearly 20 years since its introduction, no longer reflects the realities of animal welfare today. The legislation must address emerging challenges such as the online trade in animals and the sharing of animal abuse footage.

We want to see the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare integrated into the Act, replacing the outdated Five Freedoms and aligning Scotland with international best practice, as seen in the Dutch government’s proposed reforms to its Animals Act.

The Five Domains Model recognises that an animal’s welfare is shaped not just by its physical health and environment, but also by its mental wellbeing, emphasising positive experiences as well as the absence of suffering. This would ensure our laws protect animals beyond their basic needs and position Scotland as a global leader in animal welfare.

To achieve this, we will work collaboratively with veterinary professionals, animal welfare organisations, enforcement bodies, and online platforms to shape and implement meaningful legislative reform, ensuring legal guidance and sentencing frameworks are fit for purpose.

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The Hidden Victims of Blood Sports

Why Scotland needs stronger enforcement

I didn’t know I was being trained to hurt. I just wanted to please the man who fed me and held my lead. But he didn’t see me as a companion, I was a weapon. He taught me to chase, to fight, to ignore the pain. Every time I obeyed, he praised me. I didn’t understand that what he wanted from me was cruelty.

One night, he sent me after a cat. I remember the noise, the fear, the confusion. I didn’t know it was wrong. I didn’t know that what I was doing was ending another life. To him, it was a game to film and share. To me, it was just doing what I’d been taught.When the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland found the videos, everything changed. They rescued me and the other dogs from that life. We were victims too, used and broken by someone who saw violence as entertainment.

This is why Scotland needs stronger enforcement and modern laws. To stop those who train animals to fight, and to protect both the ones who suffer and the ones forced to cause the suffering.

No animal should suffer such cruelty

I am just one of many victims. Animal fighting is still not a thing of the past. It still happens, often hidden online or shared through encrypted groups. Behind every video or photograph is a real animal experiencing terror and agony.

The people who do this are not just cruel, they are organised, often repeat offenders. That’s why Scotland needs stronger enforcement and better information-sharing between agencies, so that cruelty like this is uncovered faster and punished more severely.

No animal should suffer in silence or be used for someone’s amusement. Every act of cruelty leaves scars that never fully heal.

Take action today

The collective voice is stronger. Please take 5 minutes to email your local candidate and let them know you support our manifesto. We’ve written the email for you but adding your own words and personal voice will really help.

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