# The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, Article 6: Fitness of animals to travel


(1) No person shall transport any animal unless—
(a) it is fit for the intended journey, and
(b) suitable provision has been made for its care during the journey and on arrival at the place of destination.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) above, for the purposes of this article an animal shall not be considered fit for its intended journey if it is ill, injured, infirm or fatigued, unless it is only slightly injured, ill, infirm or fatigued and the intended journey is not likely to cause it unnecessary suffering.
(3) For the purposes of this article mammals shall not be considered fit for transport if they—
(a) are likely to give birth during transport;
(b) have given birth during the preceding 48 hours; or
(c) are new-born animals in which the navel has not completely healed.
(4) For the purposes of this article, infant mammals and infant birds specified in article 2(1)(d) which are not accompanied by their mother shall not be considered fit for their intended journey if they are incapable of feeding themselves.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) above, animals transported while undergoing regulated procedures authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 may be transported provided that they are not likely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering by the intended journey.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) above, any cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses may be transported to the nearest available place for veterinary treatment or diagnosis, or to the nearest available place of slaughter if the animal is not likely to be subject to unnecessary suffering by reason of its unfitness. However, an animal transported under the provisions of this paragraph may not be dragged or pushed by any means, or lifted by a mechanical device, unless this is done in the presence of and under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon who is arranging for it to be transported with all practicable speed to a place for veterinary treatment.
(7) No person shall transport a deer in velvet unless the journey is of 50 km or less and special precautions are taken to protect it from injury or unnecessary suffering.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/1480/article/6 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/welfare-of-animals-transport-order-1997/article-6
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.