The Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 (SI. 2023 No. 1350).

The Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 establish a framework for issuing penalty notices as an enforcement tool for certain animal health and welfare offences in England. These Regulations define which offences are eligible for penalty notice, termed “relevant offences” or “specified dangerous dogs offences”, and designate the authorities empowered to issue such notices. The offences span a wide range of legislation, including the Animal Health Act 1981, Animal Welfare Act 2006, and various statutory instruments concerning disease control, animal transport, and welfare at markets and during slaughter. Schedule 1 lists the relevant offences and assigns enforcement responsibilities to local authorities, the Secretary of State, port health authorities, the Food Standards Agency, and customs officials, depending on the offence. Schedule 2 identifies offences under section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as “specified dangerous dogs offences,” for which constables may issue penalty notices.