ABSTRACT

REASONS FOR CONTROLLING ANIMALS

There are a number of reasons why legislation exists to control animals. The key driver is to prevent the transmission of disease from animals to humans, but further reasons include the need to control and prevent nuisance and to protect animals from cruelty and ill treatment. Furthermore, action to control animals such as dogs can result in considerable community benefits; local authorities are frequently subject to considerable pressures to invest resources in the control of fouling by dogs. A further aspect of the protection of the welfare of animals is the beneficial health effects of companion animals.