Although not enshrined in law the Five Freedoms are very useful as ideals for judging animal welfare. They have been used for 30 years in farming and have been recently adapted in the Zoo Standards operated under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
• Freedom from hunger and thirst
• Freedom from discomfort
• Freedom from pain, injury & disease
• Freedom from fear & distress
• Freedom to expresss natural behaviour
Other relevant legislation:
It is an offence to cause cruelty or unnecessary suffering to domestic or captive animals. Additional offences include poisoning, traps, anaesthesia for surgery.
It is an offence to exhibit to the public, or to supply for exhibit, a film if any scene was organised or directed so as to involve the cruel infliction of pain or terror or the goading of an animal to fury.