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Dogs: Animal Welfare

Asked by Ruth JonesLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 26 February 2026UIN 113987

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has she given to introducing powers for local authorities in England and Wales to rehome dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 after 21 days without a court order, as in Scotland.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

In Defra’s recently published Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government committed to undertake a review to ensure the appropriate tools and frameworks are in place to deliver a proportionate and robust enforcement system. This would include powers to seize or rehome animals where necessary.

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