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Animal Welfare Solicitors

Our experienced defence solicitors can provide you with specialist legal advice and representation if you have been accused of an animal cruelty or animal welfare offence.

SOLVING PERSONAL LEGAL MATTERS

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Being accused of an animal welfare crime often attracts media attention and is a highly emotive subject for many people. Allegations of animal cruelty or welfare issues can be very challenging to deal with on both an emotional and practical level and investigations into these offences can be highly complex.

In circumstances like these, it's important that you seek expert advice as soon as possible from experienced animal law solicitors that understand cases of this type and can offer specialist legal support.

Animal welfare prosecutions

Most animal cruelty or welfare prosecutions are spearheaded by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This legislation means there are certain legal obligations for those who own animals to ensure the animals in their care are provided with a suitable environment, diet, are able to exhibit normal behaviours and are protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. There are also laws around causing unnecessary suffering to animals and organising or facilitating animal fights which could lead to prosecution.

Failure to meet legal welfare standards could mean that you are prosecuted for an animal welfare offence.

The announcement in 2021 of the UK government's new action plan for animal welfare will also mean the introduction of new laws and guidance around animal welfare standards for pets, livestock and wild animals in the near future.

If you are convicted of an animal cruelty offence, you might be fined, banned from keeping animals for a period of time in the future and may even receive a prison sentence of up to five years.

If you're questioned in relation to or charged with an animal welfare offence, it's essential that you get expert advice as soon as possible to help you through the process.

The cost of animal solicitors in the UK

The legal fees for defence against animal welfare offences can vary, depending on the individual circumstances involved and the complexity of the situation. Initial legal advice at the police station is offered free of charge under the Legal Aid scheme, but legal support after this point is usually paid for.

You may be entitled to some level of Legal Aid subsidy, depending on your income and other factors. Your animal welfare defence solicitor will discuss legal fees and Legal Aid eligibility with you, so there are no nasty surprises further down the process.

Why choose us as your animal welfare defence lawyers?

The animal welfare defence team at Forbes offer expert assistance in relation to allegations of animal cruelty or other animal-related offences. Our criminal defence solicitors run a 24/7 service, which operates 365 days a year, so someone from our dedicated team of lawyers is always there when you need them, providing this service nationwide.

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Our dedicated Crime team

Daniel King

Daniel King

Head of Complex & Serious Crime and Business Crime

Crime

PinPreston

Call01772 220 257

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Crime

PinSalford

Call07976268000

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Craig MacKenzie

Partner

Crime

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Call01772 220 022

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Contact Us

If you have a general enquiry then please fill in your details and someone will contact you.

Call0800 988 5124

CallRequest a call back

EmailSend us an email

Contacting Us

Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
Saturday and Sunday: Closed