What legal responsibilities do pet owners have?
In addition to the terms of the Contract the contract holders have legal responsibilities they need to consider when looking to house an animal. The pets must be kept in accordance with the RSPCA five freedoms and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. For dog owners there is an additional requirement for the animal to be microchipped and we will expect contract holders to ensure that all legal requirements are met.
Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on people to ensure they take reasonable steps in all the circumstances to meet the welfare needs of their animals to the extent required by good practice.
What responsibilities do owners have?
To their pets
- Contract holders are responsible for the health and welfare of their pets in accordance with the RSPCA 5 Freedoms and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This requires proper day-to-day management and care of the pet. Bron Afon will take the welfare of the pets concerned into account when deciding if contract holders will be asked to remove an animal from the property and removing permission for the individual contract holder or households to keep a pet. If contract holders have any questions about the care of their pet, they should contact their vet or local RSPCA centre.
- All pets kept at the property must be vaccinated and regularly treated for fleas and worms (if appropriate)
To their neighbours or the wider community
- Contract holders need to be mindful of the affects that pet ownership can have on people living as immediate neighbours.
- Contract holders that access their property through a communal door e.g. flats and retirement schemes will need to make sure that their pets are on leads at all times. Contract holders must ensure that their pets do not foul within the vicinity of their home, communal hallways, landings, stairwells or gardens.
- Where fouling does occur within the aforementioned areas, it must be cleaned up immediately and disposed of appropriately.
- Contract Holders must ensure their pets do not cause nuisance to neighbours; this includes excessive noise.
To our staff and members
- Contract holders have a responsibility to ensure that any pet they have does not cause a problem or pose a threat to any member of our staff either in the contract holders home or in the community around their home.
- Bron Afon Staff will request that your pet is kept in a separate room when attending your property for any repairs or visits. If you do not comply with this request, we will not enter the property.
To Bron Afon
- Pet owners need to ensure that by having a pet in their home this does not cause any additional damage or unreasonable wear and tear to their home or to the communal areas around it.
- The number and type of animals kept needs to be proportionate to the property size. Considerations for the proportionality are determined in 5.0 of this policy.
- No pet should be left in a contract holder’s home when they are away unless clear arrangements have been made to provide adequate care for the respective animals and Bron Afon has been notified of the temporary absence.
- Contract Holders may not breed animals or offer for sale any animals in the property without written permission.