Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is reminding pet owners of their responsibilities after attending a Senedd event this week on ‘Responsible Pet ownership’.

His calls come just weeks after an emaciated bulldog was rescued after being found roaming the streets in Rhyl.

At the Blue Cross event, the charity highlighted the legal rights that pets have and what pet owners should be doing to make sure these are met.

All domestic animals have the legal right to:

• Live in a suitable environment
• Eat a suitable diet
• Exhibit normal behaviour patterns
• Be housed with, or apart from, other animals
• Be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

Pet owners must make sure their pet’s welfare needs are met, otherwise they could be prosecuted.

Speaking after attending the event, Darren said:

“Having a pet is a huge responsibility and people should think long and hard before bringing an animal into their home. They requite time, money and care and unfortunately no everyone is able to provide this.

“I don’t think everyone who takes on a pet fully understands their responsibilities.

“Every domesticated animal who is owned by someone on a temporary or permanent basis has the right to be properly cared for by their owner.

“All owners must make sure their pets’ welfare needs are met, but these will be different for different pets because different species have different needs.

A horse, for example, may be quite happy living outside all year round if they have access to good shelter. But snakes, however, would not be able to cope with living outdoors in the British climate as they are unable to regulate their own body temperature so need to live in a vivarium with a suitable gradient heat source. Horses and snakes are different so their specific welfare needs are different, but their owners must make sure they both live in environments that are suitable for them.

“Pet owners who fail to ensure their pet’s welfare needs are met face prosecution – but importantly, they run the risk of causing suffering to an animal who they have taken into their home and have a responsibility to care for. Failing to meet a pet’s welfare needs could cause them to become sick, hurt, upset or stressed.

“Owners can be taken to court if they don’t look after their pets properly and face a prison sentence of up to six months, and a fine of up to £20,000. They may also have their pet taken away from them, or be banned from having pets in the future.

“I urge anyone who is considering getting a pet to consider all these factors before making the commitment.”

For further information on pet ownership and your responsibilities visit  Blue Cross | Pets change lives. We change theirs.