Completed petition Make horse tethering, with or without shelter, illegal and an act of cruelty in Wales

In Wales it is currently not illegal to tether horses. Everyone must have seen a beautiful horse tethered on a short chain at the side of a road with no shelter from the harsh weather.

RSPCA appear have no power do anything about it! If a dog was tied up on the side of a busy road, there would be outrage. Both animals matter!

Laws must be passed to stop this terrible cruelty to such sensitive creatures! These animals have no quality of life, it’s an absolute scandal.

More details

HorseWorld a welfare charity created a #BreaktheChain campaign with the hopes of changing the law. Despite being dubbed as cruel and dangerous this practice remains legal.

Visit the website www.BreakTheChain.org.uk for further information.

Would be so proud of Wales if they lead the way to finally stop this dreadful practice. The RSPCA is also opposed to the practice as they say compromises animal welfare in so many ways.

Defra Code on practice for horses and the Welsh Government Code of Practice states that horse tethering is not a suitable method of management of an animal. Have to ask why therefore it’s not illegal?

This petition was considered by the Petitions Committee

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Other Senedd business

Committee Meeting - 10 January 2022

At the meeting on 10 January 2022, the Committee agreed to write back to the Welsh Government to share the concerns and suggestions raised by RSPCA Cymru and Blue Cross and seek clarification regarding whether there are any arrangements to financially support enforcement to implement legislation and regulations in this area.
https://business.senedd.wales/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=37967&Opt=3.

Committee Meeting - 7 March 2022

At the Petitions Committee meeting on 7 March, the Committee discussed this petition and noted that the Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd has provided more detail on how the Welsh Government plan to progress with their animal welfare commitments, including improving the training and skills of local authority enforcement officers and that the Welsh Government are working with enforcement agencies, animal welfare organisations and intend to consult on their priorities. The Committee therefore agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner. https://business.senedd.wales/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=37967&Opt=3