Animal Health and Welfare

The Highland Council’s Environmental Health Service is responsible for carrying out the Council’s duties in relation to the Animal Health Act 1981 and other associated legislation in relation to Animal Health & Welfare. This work is mainly carried out by a small team of specialist Animal Health Officers 2 based in Inverness & 1 based in Wick.

Animal Health and Welfare Officers can advise on orders and regulations relevant to Animal Health and Welfare.

Contact Details

For further information E-mail: animal.health@highland.gov.uk

Gillian Bain, Senior Animal Health and Welfare Officer or
Gordon Carmichael, Animal Health and Welfare Officer  
  
Transport, Environment and Community Services  Tel:  01463 228720/228727
Animal Health & Welfare Section                         Fax: 01463 223723
38 Harbour Road     
Inverness      
IV1 1UF      
     
Hilda Sutherland, Animal Health and Welfare Officer   

Transport, Environmental & Community Services  Tel:  01955 607752
Animal Health and Welfare Section                     Fax: 01955 606376
Market Square
Wick
KW1 4AB

Animal Health and Welfare Role

The principal function of the Animal Health and Welfare Section is: -

a) to prevent the introduction and control the spread of contagious diseases, including some which may constitute a risk to human health (e.g. Anthrax, Rabies and Tuberculosis), and

b) ensuring the welfare needs of animals and birds are met

We do this by:

Visiting livestock markets

Officers visit livestock markets to;

• ensure high welfare standards are maintained for the livestock in the market and during transportation to and from the market;
  
• monitor compliance with bio-security rules that are in place to reduce the risk of any potential spread of disease;
  
• ensure the livestock at the market are correctly identified and are moved with the correct paperwork.
  
• Look for any sign of disease
  
  

Carry out transit checks

Officers:

• stop (with the support of the police )and inspect vehicles transporting animals to ensure that high welfare standards are maintained for animals during their journey;
  
• ensure that the vehicles are constructed and used correctly for the transportation of the appropriate species of animal;
  
• ensure that animals are correctly identified and are moved with the correct paperwork.
  

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Visiting livestock holdings

Officers will carry out an inspection of and provide advice and assistance on:

• farm livestock records;
  
• veterinary medicine records;
  
• animal movement licences & passports;
  
• livestock identification;
  
• disposal of livestock carcases;
  
• livestock vehicles – construction and cleanliness
  

Other areas of work

This includes

• Monitoring movements of pigs.
• Investigation of complaints in relation to animal health & welfare
• Helping to maintain Contingency Plans which when deployed assist in the control of diseases such as Rabies and Foot and Mouth Disease.
• Investigation of any import and export of animals alleged to be in breach of regulations.
• Visits to premises which are subject to licence conditions such as catteries and kennels, pet shops, zoos, riding establishments, and premises keeping animals listed as “dangerous wild animals”.
• Providing advice and assistance on Animal Health & Welfare Legislation
  

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