Domestic Animals: Animal Welfare
Commons · Question 71395 · Tabled 29 Aug 2025 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record
Answered 4 Sep 2025
Question
Asked by Matt Vickers
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in air weapon attacks on domestic animals; what steps he is taking to improve data collection of these incidents.
Answer
Answered by Mary Creagh, 4 Sep 2025
Defra does not hold data on cases of domestic animals being attacked with air weapons. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act), it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. Anyone who is cruel ...