The European Court of Human Rights has recognised that ethical veganism is a protected belief under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and that following a vegan diet can be a manifestation of that belief. You can see the summary here: www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/g-k-and...

The High Court has granted @animalaid.org.uk permission to apply for judicial review of the Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2026.

@joeycarbstrong.bsky.social investigation on Norfolk Free Range Harford Farm site captured a farm worker beating a pig to death. The farm pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined for the actions of its employee. See www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/norfolk...

The UK Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favour of animal rights activists @animalrising.org that blocking access to a dairy business via a private road does not amount to public nuisance to the public at large. You can read the case summary here: www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/r-v-mcc...

Following a complaint filed by the NGO Jaulas Vacías in an Argentinian court, the claimants successfully argued that the conditions in which two goldfish were being kept in a display tank outside a sushi restaurant amounted to animal cruelty under Law 14.346.

5 activists linked to @animalrising.org were acquitted after rescuing 18 beagles from a facility that breeds dogs for animal testing. The defendants acknowledged their role in the rescue, arguing their actions were driven by compassion for animals. Summary: tinyurl.com/2sd5hsjv

We were in Parliament last month with our client Animal Free Research. We have been working with them on Herbie's Law, a legislative solution to phase out animal testing. You can learn more here: www.animalfreeresearchuk.org/herbies-law/

The Hunting Act 2004 was passed to ban hunting with dogs. However, loopholes and wide exemptions has meant hunting still continues. Join @leagueacs.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social in Central London on 9 May to ensure that the government sticks to its commitment to end hunting.

Letters written by @animallawfdn.bsky.social have been sent to UK governments asking for animals to be put back into animal welfare legislation. The letters have been signed by animal groups and lawyers. Read the English letter here: ukhumanrightsblog.com/2026/02/11/p...

A recent change to the law under The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations means that those protesting against animal testing could be convicted of a criminal offence. @animalaid.org.uk argues the amendment was unlawful.

We acted for @animalequality-de.bsky.social in the First-Tier Tribunal against DEFRA. The case concerned the removal of "farmed" from Scottish Farmed Salmon. We will be in the Upper Tribunal arguing to appeal the decision in May. www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/wildfis...

Wildfish Conservation & Animal Equality v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

[2025] UKFTT 58 (GRC)https://www.iclr.co.uk/document/2025000421/2025ukftt58grc_TNA/html Advocates for Animals acted for Animal Equality in a First-Tier Tribunal appeal against the Secretary of State f...

advocates-for-animals.com

This is a landmark case where the court confirmed that causing animals pain is unlawful where the suffering is unnecessary and that profit or convenience is not enough to justify it. www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/ford-v-...

Ford v Wiley

Ford v Wiley (1889) 23 QBD 203 (QB Divisional Court)FactsThe defendant farmer arranged for 32 cattle to have their horns sawn off close to the head. The evidence showed the animals experienced bleedin...

advocates-for-animals.com

We’re in court this week representing @animallawfdn.bsky.social challenging the government’s decision to remove a legal protection for chickens. Until recently it was illegal to handle chickens by their legs. When that practice was challenged, the government responded by removing the protection.

The House of Lords is due to vote on an amendment to the Public Order Act 2023 on Wednesday, which would classify animal research and breeding facilities as "key national infrastructure" and prevent protest. Clients @naturewatch.org and @animalaid.org.uk are considering legal action.

Two public consultations with the aim of banning cages for laying hens, and ending castration and tail docking of lambs without pain relief, were launched on 12 January. Both close on 9 March.

Happy New year from Advocates for Animals. You can learn about our highlights from 2025 here: www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/roundup... We look forward to more important victories for the animals in 2026. ✨

Merry Christmas everyone 🎄

The EU's public consultation on Animal Welfare closes on 15 December. There is no need to be an EU citizen to take part. You can access the EU consultation here: ec.europa.eu/info/law/bet...

@animallawfdn.bsky.social has published its report #TheEnforcementProblem revealing that in 2024 only 2.2% of farms were inspected, 28.4% of those inspections revealed welfare breaches, but only 2.2% of cases of non-compliance resulted in a prosecution. Learn more: animallawfoundation.org/reports

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passed the House of Lords. The Bill gives the power to raise the minimum age for puppies being imported to six months and bans the import and sale of dogs with cropped ears or docked tails: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/s...

The UK government has vowed to phase out animal testing with a roadmap. However, campaigners are concerned with the lack of a clear timeline, firm targets or legislation. You can read more here: www.gov.uk/government/n...

We have assisted our client Animal Equality, which has obtained footage of farmed trout suffocating and being beaten with batons in a slaughterhouse in Scotland. We have submitted an official complaint to APHA Scotland, which is the relevant regulator.

To prevent pigs experiencing avoidable pain, distress or suffering at slaughter associated with high concentration CO2, The Animal Welfare Committee has recommended that its use should be prohibited as a method of stunning for pigs. You can learn more here: www.gov.uk/government/p...

The UK and EU are negotiating a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. It's unclear how the welfare of the animal that will become the food product will be dealt with in the trade agreement- animal groups want to ensure the UK can restrict imports that don't meet UK animal welfare standards

TAWC Trade Animal Welfare Coalition -

TAWC UK: Giving a voice to animals in trade policy The Trade & Animal Welfare Coalition UK is a wide ranging group of organisations who have come together to share their knowledge and expertise on mat...

tawcuk.org

A recent case in the Family Court in Manchester provided insight into how a dispute over the "ownership" of a companion animal may be dealt with in a divorce. Reassuringly not only was the dog's welfare taken into account, but his preference was too. See: www.advocates-for-animals.com/post/fi-v-do

Over 450 neglected animals were rescued in a major RSPCA and police operation in Nottinghamshire. Many were found in appalling conditions, with some too sick to save. The offender received a 12-month prison sentence and a lifetime ban from keeping animals. For more: www.rspca.org.uk/w/whatwedo/p...

A woman was convicted at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court after the police discovered her husky, Milo, slowly choking and lying comatose in squalid conditions. Magistrates described it as “the worst case of animal cruelty” they had seen.

The Court has now ordered that all sterilised and vaccinated dogs, excluding those diagnosed with rabies, be released back into their original territories rather than confined to shelters.

Case update on trout farm investigation: Two complaints have been submitted to Gloucestershire Trading Standards on behalf of Animal Equality UK following undercover footage exposing serious welfare concerns.

In August 2025, plans for a giant chicken unit in Norfolk housing over 310,000 birds were overturned after an organisation opposing factory farming issued a pre-action letter, in part highlighting that animal welfare had not been considered in the approval process.