All wildlife is subject to general welfare protection under the law.  Unlike birds, only certain animal and plant species have additional protection on account of their rarity or against their exploitation.  Some native animal species, for example foxes, weasels and stoats, and established non-natives, for example rats, rabbits, wild boar, grey squirrels and mink, are not given this additional protection.

Protection all wildlife receives

Prohibition of cruel methods

All animal and bird species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from certain cruel methods of killing or taking. See our control methods page for more information.

Regulation of Firearms, traps and pesticides use

Certain provisions regulate specific methods of killing or taking. The Pests Act 1954 prohibits the use of unapproved spring traps, and Spring Trap Approval Orders approve traps and set conditions of use.   Pesticides are approved and their use similarly regulated under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. The use of firearms is also heavily regulated under the Firearms Act 1968 and other firearms legislation, ensuring that where firearms are legally used, it is by those best placed to effect a clean humane kill. See our control methods page for more information.

Unnecessary suffering and failure to provide needs

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 provides protection where a wild animal (including birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish) is the responsibility of a person, whether on a permanent or temporary basis (for example when held in a trap, being dispatched or being tended to).  A person commits an offence if an act of his or a failure of his to act causes an animal to suffer unnecessarily (causes suffering which could reasonably have been avoided or reduced).   A person also commits an offence if they ought reasonably to have known that the act or failure to act would likely result in unnecessary suffering.

It is also an offence to fail to provide for an animal’s needs, such as a suitable environment and diet, as well as its protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.  This protects animals from unnecessary suffering and has implications for those keeping, transporting or releasing animals.

Acts of deliberate cruelty

All wild mammals are protected (subject to certain defences) by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 .  If any person mutilates, kicks, beats, nails or otherwise impales, stabs, burns, stones, crushes, drowns, drags or asphyxiates any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering he shall be guilty of an offence.