Labour demands tenants be given ‘right to keep pets’ Labour has unveiled plans to give tenants the “right to pets” under its new 50 point animal welfare manifesto. Current […]

Labour has unveiled plans to give tenants the “right to pets” under its new 50 point animal welfare manifesto.

Current rental laws enable landlords to specify that tenants are not allowed to keep pets in a property. But the new proposals would mean tenants would gain the automatic right to house their animals unless it can be proved they are a “nuisance”.

The party also announced plans to close loopholes which allow “illegal fox hunting” and introduce measures in which motorists are obliged to report where an animal is injured at the roadside.

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Taking aim at the Tories

The scheme is intended to trump Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who brought the issue of animal welfare to light recently with a proposed ban on selling puppies in pet shops.

Mr Gove has proposed increasing maximum sentences for serious animal cruelty to five years published draft legislation which would commit the government to treat animals as “sentient beings” when it makes future laws.

But the new Labour proposals are intended to act as a blanket plan for animal welfare policy, covering everything from banning foie gras production to reviewing animal testing.

Sue Hayman, the shadow environment secretary, said the plans would ensure Britain “becomes a world leader on animal rights”.

The “right to pets” policy would represent a major shift in favour of tenants’ rights, with Labour suggesting it would soften the blow for renters who can’t afford to buy their own property.

Under the 2015 Consumer Rights Act, a landlord can only refuse permission if it is reasonable to do so, for instance on grounds of the animal’s size, the damage it could cause and its impact on future rental prospects.

“Recognising that currently for the majority of people under 30, buying a home is sadly less and less of an affordable option, Labour would seek to improve the rights of renters to own pets that do not cause a nuisance,” the document says.

Comprehensive plan

Among the other proposals included in the manifesto are:

Plans to establishing an independent zoo inspectorate

Prohibit the third party sale of puppies. All puppies will need to be sold with their mother on site.

Improve accessibility to vets for those on low incomes

Total ban on imports of Foie Gras

End use of cages on British farms.

Ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

Contribute to the development and validation of non-animal research methods

Introduce mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses

Create a new post of animal welfare commissioner

Conservative MP Steve Double responded to the proposals by saying animal welfare remains top of the Tory agenda.

“From introducing mandatory CCTV into slaughter houses to increasing the maximum sentence for animal cruelty ten-fold, the Conservatives will continue taking the action needed to ensure animals receive the proper protection they deserve,” he said.