Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Give vets powers to seize animals if there is neglect or abuse & punish owners

Closed 762 signatures

What the petition asks

If an animal is brought to a vet, we think they should be able to make the decision that due to the severity of neglect they will seize the animal. We think the owner should be fined, added to a register and unable to obtain animals in the future.
We think there is a lot of severe animal abuse and neglect. Currently if you take a neglected animal to a vets they may make a considerable effort to try and find the owner. They have no power to stop the owner reclaiming their pet so the torture continues. Animal charities can be informed of the neglect and abuse but they may be so overrun that they are often returned to the owner before they are able to step in. Let’s be their voice when they can’t cry for help, not all victims can report crimes against themselves.

Timeline

12 May 2025 Petition opened for signatures
12 Nov 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 762
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 12 May 2025
Closed 12 Nov 2025

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 2 Aug 2026.