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 and Welfare. This work is mainly carried out by a small team of specialist Animal Health Officers, two based in Inverness, one in Wick and one in Fort William.
Animal Health and Welfare Officers can advise on orders and regulations relevant to Animal Health and Welfare.
Note this section does not deal with stray dogs or dog fouling.
For further information see Animal Health and Welfare Guidance or contact an Animal Health & Welfare Officer as detailed below
Contact Details
If you have any comments or enquiries regarding Animal Health and Welfare, please complete our contact form.
Gillian Bain, Senior Animal Health and Welfare Officer
Tel: 01463 228720
Gordon Carmichael, Animal Health and Welfare Officer
Tel: 01463 228727
Transport, Environment and Community Services
Animal Health and Welfare Section
38 Harbour Road
Inverness
IV1 1UF
Fax: 01463 223723
Hilda Sutherland, Animal Health and Welfare Officer
Transport, Environmental and Community Services
Animal Health and Welfare Section
Girnigoe Street
Wick
KW1 5HW
Tel: 01955 607752
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.
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 and 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 and 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 and Welfare Legislation