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Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act 1900

Great Britain Parliament

[63 & 64 Victoria c. 33.] An Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Captivity

[1900-Aug-06] "An Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Captivity," in Public General Statutes Passed in the Sixty-Third and Sixty-Fourth Years of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, 1900 (London, 1900; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks) 78.

BE it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. [Definition of "animal" 12 & 13 Vict. c. 92. 17 & 18 Vict. c. 39.] The word "animal" in this Act means any bird, beast, fish, or reptile which is not included in the Cruelty to Animals Acts, 1849 and 1854.r

2. [Cruelty to captive animals.] Any person shall be guilty of an offence who, whilst an animal is in captivity or close confinement, or is maimed, pinioned, or subjected to any appliance or contrivance for the purpose of hindering or preventing its escape from such captivity or confinement, shall, by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting any act,… cause or permit to be caused any unnecessary suffering to such animal; or cruelly abuse, infuriate, tease, or terrify it, or permit it to be so treated.

3. [Penalty.] Any person committing an offence may be proceeded against under the Summary Jurisdiction Acts, and on conviction shall for every such offence be liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour for not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding five pounds, and, in default of payment, to imprisonment with or without hard labour.

4. [Limit of Act. 39 & 40 Vict. c. 77.] This Act shall not apply to any act done or any omission in the course of destroying or preparing any animal for destruction as food for mankind nor to any act permitted by the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, nor to the hunting or coursing of any animal which has not been liberated in a mutilated or injured state in order to facilitate its capture or destruction.

5. This Act shall not extend to Scotland.

6. [Short Title] This Act may be cited for all purposes as the Wild Animals in Captivity Protection Act, 1900.