Animal Cruelty
Anyone responsible for an animal has a legal duty to ensure that its needs are met. It's a criminal offence to fail to meet an animal’s welfare needs or fail to protect an animal from unnecessary suffering. For example, this could mean giving the animal an unsuitable diet, providing poor living conditions or hurting an animal deliberately.
(CAB Advice) (Animal welfare - Advice) (Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006: guidance) (Animals (Scotland) Act 1987)
Whom to contact
Both Environmental Health and SSPCA have responsibilities in this area and hence work closely together.
For livestock contact Environmental Health in the first instance if unable to make contact try SSPCA.
Livestock is sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, donkeys, mules, horses and any other animal while they are in captivity.
Also contact Environmental Health for any concerns about a premises licenced to keep animals.
For pets or companion animals please contact SSPCA in the first instance.
(Animal Cruelty FAQs | SSPCA (scottishspca.org)) SSPCA
(Report Cruelty | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk) RSPCA
(Contact Us - The Animal Welfare Foundation) Contact options.