Animals are protected from cruelty and mistreatment by the Animal Welfare (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2012. Follow this link to view the Ordinance.
This legislation protects animals from acts of violence and neglect and places a duty on owners to care for any animal that they keep on the basis of the five freedoms which are -
- FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
- FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOUR by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
- FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
If you have reasonable grounds to believe that an animal is being mistreated, contact us.
Welfare codes
- Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services has issued a number of welfare codes on the care of various animals along with guidance on how to comply with the relevant code. Follow this link for further information.
Animals in greenhouses
- For information on precautions to take in the summer when animals and birds are kept in greenhouses, follow this link.
Calves
Cattle
- Follow this link for information on the minimum standards for tethering cattle.
Hunting
- Hunting is permitted on private land and certain public land and the animals that can be hunted are wild Rabbit, Wood pigeon, Common Pheasant, Grey or English Partridge, Red-Legged or French Partridge, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Snipe, Cross-bred Mallard and Greylag Goose.
- Follow this link for further guidance. Follow this link for the Animal Welfare (Slaughter, Killing, Euthanasia etc) (Prescribed Animals) Regulations 2014. Follow this link for The Animal Welfare (Requirements for Slaughter, Killing, Euthanasia, etc) Order 2014.
- These documents provide information on who can hunt, the places where game animals can be hunted, the methods of hunting that can be used and, in certain cases the times of the year when game animals can be hunted (there is a close season for some species). Hunting with dogs and ferrets is permitted and nets and cage traps can be used. All other traps and snares are prohibited.
- The use of firearms is regulated and hunting on public land requires a hunting permit. The permit only allows hunting on some public land (which is listed on the Permit), it does not allow the holder to hunt on all public land. The possession and use of firearms is strictly regulated. Information on shotgun certificates and permits can be obtained from Guernsey Police on 725111. The importation of firearms is also regulated and further information can be obtained from the Guernsey Border Agency on 741417.
Stray animals
- Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services has authorised personnel from the GSPCA and Animal Aid to seize and detain stray animals.
- A stray is any domestic animal that has wandered or escaped from its normal place of confinement and is not under the supervision or control of its owner or keeper. Wild and feral animals are not strays.
- If an animal is seized as a stray every effort will be made to identify the owner. Owners can collect an animal from the relevant organisation and may have to pay a fee for its detention before it is released. If an animal is not claimed within 21 days of being seized it may be rehomed or disposed of.
- A person who finds a stray animal must first make every attempt to return it to its owner. If that is not possible, they can take it to the GSPCA or Animal Aid.
Pest Animals
- Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services has designated the following animals as pests - brown rat, house mouse, carrion crow, magpie and feral pigeon. Download 'Identifying Pest Animals'.
- These animals can be controlled, but only using particular methods and in the case of feral pigeons, only by an approved pest controller subject to certain conditions. Certain types of Larsen trap have also been approved to control carrion crows and magpies, but these can only be used by an approved pest controller. Download the 'Code of Practice for the Responsible Use of Larson Traps'.
- Follow this link for further guidance and this link for the relevant legislation.
