How it works in 8 simple steps
Step 1: You identify a person may be at risk due to someone’s behaviour toward animals, or a history of animal offending.
Step 2: You apply to the police under Holly’s Law for information about an individuals history of abuse and/or neglect of animals.
Step 3: The police consider whether there is a “pressing need” for this information to be shared and whether they can share the information with you.
Step 4a: The police consider information should shared and will make a disclosure of information directly relating to animal abuse and/or neglect - see below for details of typical offences which could be disclosed.
Step 4b: The police consider information cannot be shared and will provide an explanation for their reasoning.
Step 4c: The police confirm there is no information to be disclosed (i.e. there are no records held).
Step 5: The person receiving the information must confirm that any information shared must remain confidential and cannot be disclosed to any other third party.
Step 6: Police disclose the information to the person best placed to safeguard the person (this may or may not be the person who made the request).
Step 7: The person safeguarding can now make an informed decision
Step 8: Someone has been saved from potential domestic abuse/serious harm.
The Legal Bits…
The main offences in which a person is charged and/or prosecuted for animal related offences are:
Causing unnecessary suffering (Section 4): It is an offence to cause an animal physical or mental suffering that is unnecessary.
Carrying out a non-exempted mutilation(Section 5): Prohibits the mutilation of a protected animal unless a procedure is specifically exempted by regulations.
Docking the tail of a dog except where permitted (Section 6): Generally bans the docking of a dog's tail, with limited exceptions for certified working dogs under five days old.
Administering a poison to an animal(Section 7): Makes it an offence to administer a poisonous or injurious substance to a protected animal without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
Involvement in an animal fight (Section 8): Creates specific offences relating to animal fights, including causing, attempting to cause, or being present at a fight.
Breach of duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare (Section 9): Places a duty on those responsible for animals to take reasonable steps to meet the animal's needs, such as a suitable environment, diet, and protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.
