Memorandum submitted by the Director Army
Veterinary and Remount Services
After studying the document in detail, the Director
Army Veterinary and Remount Services (DAVRS) supports this draft
Bill in principle. The following section, however, raises some
concern to this organisation.
Section 4—Welfare, Subsection 4(a) "the
need for a suitable environment in which to live"
The Military Concern
In the UK and across mainland Europe British
Military working animal (MWAs) units, there are specified joint
service publications which outline the accommodation for these
animals. This is not always the case on military operations especially
in the early phases. In the early stages of military deployed
operations the environment provided to military working animals
may not be described as suitable in the short term. However the
environment provided is suitable to the circumstances that these
military working animals are placed in, alongside their human
counterparts. There are also Standard Operating procedures which
outline the provision of care and accommodation required in both
temperate and extreme climates/conditions.
MWAs are potentially exposed to dangers and
conditions rarely encountered in the civilian world. However DAVRS
policy requires precautions be undertaken to prevent suffering
in all circumstances.
24 August 2004
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