Dogs: Animal Welfare
(asked on 4th March 2021) - View Source
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is permitted under covid-19 restrictions to travel for the purpose of animal welfare to a dog behaviorist.
England is still in a national lockdown. The Government has issued guidance which states clearly that you must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. According to this guidance, you can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.
The Government has also issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Protecting the welfare of animals remains a priority for Defra throughout the coronavirus pandemic. I recognise that access to professional services such as dog training and behaviourists may be important for animal welfare purposes.
The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) has issued further advice to pet-related businesses (including dog trainers and behaviourists) on how they can deliver their services safely under the restrictions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus. See: here
On 22 February, the Government published ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England. This a step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England cautiously. Guidance on reopening businesses and venues is available here:
Defra cannot advise individuals on what specific activities constitute a reasonable excuse given the individual’s circumstances and those applying to their dog. To determine this, individuals should consult the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020 and associated guidance. An example of a reasonable excuse toleave your home is to attend to the care and exercise of an animal. However, this should be done locally wherever possible. This means avoiding travel outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live and reducing the number of journeys you make overall.
My department will continue to work closely with sector groups, such as the CFSG, to update advice to pet owners and pet service-based businesses at each step of the roadmap.