Putting Dogs On Vegetarian Diet In Britain Could Land You In Jail and £20,000 fine

Dog owners who feed their pets a vegetarian diet may face fines of up to £20,000 and a 51-week prison term.

Humans have grown pickier in their meals due to a desire to decrease their carbon impact and avoid consuming animal products.

Dogs rely nearly exclusively on their humans for nourishment, and owners who compel their dogs to consume meat-free diets may be breaking animal welfare regulations.

According to the Animal Welfare Act of 2006, you must give your dog an “appropriate diet,” which means you might face legal action if the food you pick does not meet that requirement.

The Blue Cross summarizes all of the laws that apply to dog owners in the United Kingdom, demonstrating that all pet owners have a legal obligation to cater to their welfare requirements.

According to section nine, all domestic animals have the legal right to exist in an appropriate habitat, consume a suitable diet, display normal behaviour patterns, be kept with or separate from other animals, and be protected from pain, suffering, damage, and sickness of the act.

Vegan or vegetarian diets are not included in the recommendations for a good diet for dogs, but any diet, from wet food or raw food to dry kibble, should “meet all of your dog’s nutritional demands.”

Daniella Dog Santos, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) president, said that under the Animal Welfare Act in the UK, dog owners are obligated to feed a proper diet to their pets. So if a person’s own belief system doesn’t allow them to consume any animal protein, that is fine. However, that diet should not be imposed on the pet dogs, and their diet should meet the standards set by the Animal Welfare Act.

It is possible to feed a vegetarian diet to a dog. Still, few know the right amount of ingredients to meet their pet’s dietary requirements and often get it wrong. It may not cause issues immediately, but over the years, the impact could be significant.

She stated that a vegetarian diet could only be given under the supervision of a veterinary-trained nutritionist.

Failure to provide appropriate nutrition for your dog may result in a hefty fine, a possible court hearing, and a prison sentence in the worst-case situation. Pet owners may also have their pets taken away from them or be barred from ever owning pets again.

Source: Times Now News