Library of Animal Rights History » Animal Welfare-Animal Rights Laws-Acts, Legislation Against Cruelty to Animals, Animal Protection Law

Animal Rights Law - Victorian Age

Anti-Cruelty / Anti-Vivisection Legislation

Law-Romantic Age « Law-Victorian Age » Law-Antiquity

1835 [5 & 6 William IV. c. 59. Cruelty to Animals Act 1835] An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Several Laws Relating to the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Animals, and the Mischiefs Arising from the Driving of Cattle, and to Make Other Provisions in Regard Thereto

1837 [1 Victoria c. 66. Cruelty to Animals (Ireland) Act 1837] An Act to Extend to Ireland the Act of the Fifth and Sixth Years of His Late Majesty's Reign Consolidating and Amending the Laws Relating to the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Animals

1839 [2 & 3 Victoria pr. c. 1. Eastmeon (Hampshire) Inclosures Act, 1839] An Act for Inclosing Certain Open and Common Downs or Sheepwalks Within the Several Tithings of Oxenbourn and Ramsdean in the Parish and Manor of Eastmeon in the County of Southampton: "…Allotments to be made for…Watering Places for Cattle."

1839 [2 & 3 Victoria c. 47. Metropolitan Police Act 1839] An Act for Further Improving the Police In and Near the Metropolis: Penalties for "fighting or baiting lions, bears, badgers, cocks, dogs, or other animals;" Prohibits nuisances in thoroughfares including 1. Display of animals for show or sale; feeding, foddering, shoeing, bleeding, farrying, cleaning, dressing, exercising, training or breaking any animal 2. Turning loose any Horse, Cattle or unmuzzled ferocious Dog, or urging any dog or other Animal to attack, worry, or put in fear any person, horse, or other Animal: 3. by Negligence or Ill-usage in driving Cattle shall cause any Mischief to be done by such Cattle, and also every Person not being hired or employed to drive such Cattle who shall wantonly and unlawfully pelt, drive, or hunt any such Cattle; Prohibits dog carts; Allows for destruction of rabid animals by police.

1839 [2 & 3 Victoria cap xciv, London Police Act, 1839] An Act for Regulating the Police in the City of London Penalties for "fighting or baiting lions, bears, badgers, cocks, dogs, or other animals;" Prohibits nuisances in thoroughfares including 1. Display of animals for show or sale; feeding, foddering, shoeing, bleeding, farrying, cleaning, dressing, exercising, training or breaking any animal 2. Turning loose any Horse, Cattle or unmuzzled ferocious Dog, or urging any dog or other Animal to attack, worry, or put in fear any person, horse, or other Animal: 3. by Negligence or Ill-usage in driving Cattle shall cause any Mischief to be done by such Cattle, and also every Person not being hired or employed to drive such Cattle who shall wantonly and unlawfully pelt, drive, or hunt any such Cattle; Prohibits dog carts; Allows for destruction of rabid animals by police.

1844 [7 & 8 Victoria c. 87. Eastmeon (Hampshire) Inclosure Act 1839] An Act to Amend the Law for Regulating Places Kept for Slaughtering Horses: "…And be it enacted, That if any such licensed or other Person shall wantonly or cruelly beat, ill-treat, abuse, wound, or torture any Horse [Mare, Gelding, Mule, Pony, Colt, or Filly] or other Cattle [Bull, Ox, Cow, Steer, Heifer, Calf, Ass, Sheep, Lamb, Goat, Pig or any other domestic Animal] in any House, Pound, Stable, or other Place in the Occupation or Use of such licensed Person, every such person shall for every such Offence, on Conviction therof, forfeit and pay a Sum of Money not exceeding Five Pounds…

1847 [10 & 11 Victoria c. 14. Markets and Fairs Act, 1847] An Act for Consolidating in One Act Certain Provisions Usually Contained in Acts for Constructing or Regulating Markets and Fairs: "…For Inspection of the Slaughter-houses, and for keeping the same in a cleanly and proper State, and for removing Filth and Refuse at least once in every Twenty-four Hours, and for requiring htat they be provided with a sufficient Supply of Water, and preventing the Exercise of Cruelty therein…"

1847 [10 & 11 Victoria c. 34.Towns Improvement Act, 1847] An Act for Consolidating in One Act Certain Provisions Usually Contained in acts for Paving, Draining, Cleansing, Lighting and Improving Towns "…Regulation for the licensing, registering and Inspection of the said Slaugher-houses and Knackers Yards, and preventing Cruelty therein, and for keeping the same in a cleanly and proper State, and for removing Filth at least once in every Twenty-four Hours, and requiring them to be provided with a sufficient Supply of Water.…"

1849 [12 & 13 Victoria c. 92. Cruelty to Animals Act, 1849] An Act for the More Effectual Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

1850 [13 & 14 Victoria c. 33. Police Improvement (Scotland), 1850] An Act to Make More Effectual Provision for Regulating the Police of Towns and Populous Places in Scotland, and for Paving, Draining, Cleansing, Lighting, and Improving the Same: "…Regulations for the licensing, registering, and Inspection of Slaughter-houses, and preventing Cruelty therein, and from keeping the same in a cleanly and proper State, and for removing Filth at least once in every Twenty-four Hours, and requiring them to be provided with a sufficient Supply of Water.…

1850 [13 & 14 Victoria c. 59. Cruelty to Animals Act, 1850] An Act for the more effectual Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Scotland

1851 [14 & 15 Victoria c. 61.] Smithfield Market Removal Act] An Act for Providing a Metropolitan Market and Conveniences Connected therewith in Lieu of the Cattle Market at Smithfield: "…Commisioners may maye Byelaws…for keeping the said aid Market Places, Slaughter-houses, and Lairs in a cleanly and proper State, and preventing the Exercise of Cruelty therein.…"

1854 [ 17 & 18 Victoria c. 60. Cruelty to Animals Act, 1854] An Act to Amend an Act of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Years of Her Present Majesty for the More Effectual Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

1862 [25 & 26 Victoria c. 101. General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act] An Act to Make More Effectual Provision for Regulating the Police of Towns and Populous Places in Scotland, and for Lighting, Cleansing, Paving, Draining, Supplying Water To and Improving the Same, and also for Promoting the Public Health Thereof "…Commissioners may make byelaws for…preventing Cruelty in slaughter-houses, and from keeping the same in a cleanly and proper state, and for removing filth at least once in every twenty-four hours, and requiring them to be provided with a sufficient supply of water.…"

1875 [38 & 39 Victoria c. 55. Public Health Act, 1875] An Act for Consolidating and Amending The Acts Relating to Public Health in England: "…Commissioners shall…make regulations…preventing cruelty [in slaughter-houses and knacker's yards], and for keeping the same in a cleanly and proper state, and for removing filth at least once in every twenty-four hours, and requiring them to be provided with a sufficient supply of water.…"

1876 [39 & 40 Victoria c. 77. Cruelty to Animals [Anti-Vivisection] Act, 1876] An Act to Amend the Law Relating to Cruelty to Animals

1892 [55 & 56 Victoria c. 55 - Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1892] An Act for Regulating the Police and Sanitary Administration of Towns and Populous Places, and for Facilitating the Union of Police and Municipal Administration in Burghs in Scotland: "…Commissions may may by Byelaws…preventing cruelty in slaughter-houses, and for keeping the same in a cleanly and proper state, and for removing filth at least once in every twenty-four hours, and for having them properly floored, drained, and provided with a sufficient supply of water.…"

1900 [63 & 64 Victoria c. 33. Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act, 1900] An Act for the Prevention of Cruely to Wild Animals in Captivity