Animal Welfare Act (TSchG).

This Animal Protection Act in particular aims at the protection of the life and well-being of animals on the part of human beings. The federal State, the “Länder” and the local authorities have to bring to the attention of public opinion the need to protect animals, as well as to promote research on the subject matter, etc. The said Federal Act applies to all animals. According to article 5 it is unlawful to inflict unjustified sufferings or damage to animals or to put them in a state of anxiety; as well as to kill animals without reason. It is also forbidden to carry out intervention on animals which are not for therapeutic or diagnostic reasons. Part 2 lays down provisions dealing with several aspects of keeping animals, such as personnel, space, feeding and drinking, disinfection, inspection. Finally, there are also provisions dealing with wild animals and animals in zoos. The text consists of 48 articles divided into 4 Parts.