UK Gives Animals Bill of Rights

"People will be legally liable for the basic welfare of their pets under new laws coming into force in England.
The Animal Welfare Act, which became law in Wales last week, includes harsher fines of up to £20,000 and jail terms of up to 51 weeks for cruelty.

The RSPCA is raising awareness of the act, which has been dubbed a bill of rights for pets, ahead of its official introduction on Friday.

The act represents the first new laws on animal welfare for 94 years.

'Bill of rights'
The RSPCA - Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -, which is opposed to performing animals in circuses and zoos, says that under the act further regulations dealing with issues such as circus animals may be introduced in the future.

Circuses fear the legislation will be extended to ban them from using animals.
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A panel of experts appointed by the government to look at whether stricter regulations or a ban on circus animals is needed is due to report by the summer. Any changes would come into force by 2008.