York to lead the way in animal welfare policy

 

Senior councillors are being asked to formally adopt an animal welfare licensing policy.

This has been drawn up using guidance from the Institute of Environmental Health Officers, ahead of the new Regulations being issued by DEFRA relating to animal welfare licensing.

The policy relates to licenses being issued for activities relating to animal welfare. These are issued for establishments which board animals, breed dogs and offer horse riding. They are also issued for keeping dangerous wild animals, for pet shops and zoos. Animals to be trained and used for exhibition must also be registered with the council.

Besides licensing 34 animal boarding premises, York licenses eight pet shops, four riding schools and one dog breeder. The sole licensed zoo is for Askham Bryan College’s educational purposes and the council has registration for eight animals which can be exhibited.
The council inspects premises along with vets, to ensure standards are met.

Cattle return to strays – Council offers dog walkers advice

Take the lead and follow the countryside code on Strays

City of York Council is urging dog owners to take the lead and follow the countryside code when cattle are reintroduced onto Strays across York later this month.

The countryside code encourages everyone to respect other people and animals, protect the environment and enjoy the outdoors. This is particularly important when cattle are reintroduced onto the city’s strays for grazing to help manage the land.

Dog owners are being encouraged to be responsible around cattle. This includes keeping dogs on a lead when near cattle as they can spook them, picking up dog waste as this can spread disease and closing gates to ensure cattle don’t escape.

Grazing is a recognised form of managing grassland, including on nature reserves, throughout Britain.  Since 2010 Hob Moor, Bootham Stray, including the Clifton Backies nature reserve, and Walmgate Stray are in  Higher Level Stewardship agreements with Natural England.  The management prescriptions to which we have to comply for the sites include grazing and hay cutting to support the wildlife interest of open grassland, rather than be intensively managed or being left to scrub over.

For information on walking near livestock visit www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/safety/walking-near-livestock.aspx

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