{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972.json",
  "id": "apni/1972/7",
  "title": "Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972",
  "short_title": "Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972",
  "long_title": "An Act to make provision with respect to the welfare of livestock on agricultural land; to regulate the keeping of petshops, animal boarding, riding and zoological establishments; and to consolidate with amendments certain enactments relating to the protection of animals from unnecessary suffering and for purposes connected therewith.",
  "citation": "1972 c. 7 (N.I.)",
  "type": "apni",
  "year": "1972",
  "number": "7",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1972-03-23",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2012-03-12",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 0,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "part/I",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "I",
      "heading": "WELFARE OF LIVESTOCK ON AGRICULTURAL LAND",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
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      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Prevention of unnecessary pain and distress for livestock.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
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    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Regulations with respect to the welfare of livestock.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Codes of recommendations for the welfare of livestock.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Expenditure on free advice on the welfare of livestock.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-4",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Powers of entry and inspection.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-5",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
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      "heading": "Penalties.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-6",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
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      "heading": "Interpretation of Part I.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-7",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/II",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "II",
      "heading": "CONTROL OF PETSHOPS, ANIMAL BOARDING, RIDING AND ZOOLOGICAL ESTABLISHMENTS",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
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      "heading": "Licensing of petshops, animal boarding, riding and zoological establishments.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-8",
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      "heading": "Offences and penalties.",
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    },
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      "heading": "Regulations with respect to the safety, etc., of animals.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11A",
      "heading": "Livery establishments and other premises where horses are kept.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-11A",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
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      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Interpretation of Part II.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-12",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "part/III",
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      "number": "III",
      "heading": "PROTECTION OF ANIMALS",
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      "extent": null,
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      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
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      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Acts of cruelty.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Offences in relation to operations.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-14",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Exceptions to sections 13 and 14.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-15",
      "extent": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Powers of veterinary inspectors.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-16",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
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    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
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      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Export of horses.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-17",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
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    {
      "path": "section/18",
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      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Docking and nicking of horses.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
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    {
      "path": "section/19",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "19",
      "heading": "Offences in relation to the fighting, baiting or exhibition of animals.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-19",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/20",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "20",
      "heading": "Offences of animal failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-20",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/21",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "21",
      "heading": "Traps and snares.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-21",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/22",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "22",
      "heading": "Poisonous substances.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-22",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/23",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "23",
      "heading": "Injured animals.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-23",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/24",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "24",
      "heading": "Power of entry.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-24",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/25",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "25",
      "heading": "Penalties.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-25",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "part/III"
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    {
      "path": "section/26",
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      "number": "26",
      "heading": "Power of the court to order destruction of an animal.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-act-northern-ireland-1972/section-26",
      "extent": null,
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      "heading": "Power to disqualify persons convicted of cruelty to animals.",
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      "extent": null,
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      "heading": "Cost of caring for neglected animals.",
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      "heading": "OPERATIONS WHICH MAY BE PERFORMED WITHOUT AN ANAESTHETIC",
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    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T21:29:09.607708+00:00"
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  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}