The inclusion of a duty of stewardship in contemporary animal welfare legislation is a subject addressed in a conference presentation given by Dr Robertson in Sweden. The subject has particular relevance to the concerns expressed by the RSPCA (England) in respect of breeding pedigree dogs with deformities and disabilities.

During Dr Robertson’s presentation, it was pointed out that according to England’s Animal Welfare Act 2006, a person commits an offence if:
4. a) an act of his, or a failure to act, causes an animal to suffer.
4. b) he knew, or ought to reasonably have known, that the act, or failure to act, would have that effect, or be likely to do so.

Have a close look at section 4 – then consider the comments made by the RSPCA, and the concerns expressed by RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans (see the link below), who has said: "Dog shows using current breed standards as the main judging criteria actively encourage both the intentional breeding of deformed and disabled dogs and the inbreeding of closely related animals. There is compelling scientific evidence that the health and welfare of hundreds of thousands of pedigree dogs is seriously compromised as a result.”

IAL suggests that section 4 may provide a legal argument that makes those “know, or ought to have known” that offspring with deformities and disabilities that cause an “animal to suffer” guilty of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

RSPCA pulls out of Crufts over dog welfare:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rspca-pulls-out-of-crufts...

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&p...