29/5 The Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog on Dog Attacks) Bill is due to have its 2nd reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3798/stages

11/6 The Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill is due to have its 1st reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3985/stages

1/5 – Likely date for implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act provisions on pets – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renters-rights-act-2025-implementation-roadmap 

27/3 The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amendment) Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3854/stages

18/3 – Changes to livestock worrying law come into effect – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/32/enacted

22/12 – Government published its Animal Welfare Strategy for England – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england/animal-welfare-strategy-for-england

18/12 – The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill  received Royal Assent and became the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

5/12 The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passes its 3rd reading in the House of Lords and is now awaiting a date for Royal Assent – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

2/12 The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) receives royal assent and becomes The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/stages

28/11 – The Pets (Microchips) Bill is due to have its 2nd reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3824/stages

28/10 The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill Order of Commitment discharged (no amendments tabled for committee stage); date for 3rd reading in the House of Lords tbc –  https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

27/10 The Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent and becomes the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

22/10 The Renters’ Rights Bill – Consideration of Lords message – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

21/10 The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill enters the Committee Stage in the House of Lords – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/stages

14/10 The Renters’ Rights Bill – Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons — https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

5/9 The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passes its 2nd reading in the House of Lords. Committee stage to be announced – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/stages

5/9 The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passes its 2nd reading in the House of Lords. Committee stage to be announce – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

7/7 The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passes its 1st reading in the House of Lords. Date for 2nd reading TBC – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

7/7 The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passes its 1st reading in the House of Lords. Date for 2nd reading TBC – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790

4/7 The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill enters the report stage and passes its 3rd reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

4/7 The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passes its 3rd reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790

1/7 The Renters’ Rights Bill enters report stage in the House of Lords – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

30/6 Deadline for evidence to be provided to DEFRA for the neutering of an exempted XL Bully type aged less than 7 months as at 31st January 2024

11/6 The Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill is introduced in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3985/stages

21/5 The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill enters into committee stage in the House of Commons; date of the report stage is yet to be announced – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/stages

14/5 The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill enters Committee Stage in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790/stages

22/4 Renters’ Rights Bill enters into Committee Stage in the House of Lords – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

4/2 Renters’ Rights Bill passes its 2nd Reading in the House of Lords – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

15/1 Renters’ Rights Bill passes its 1st Reading in the House of Lords – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

14/1 Renters’ Rights Bill passes its 3rd Reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

31/12 Deadline for evidence to be provided to DEFRA of neutering of an exempted XL Bully type aged between 7-12 months as at 31st January 2024

17/12 Judgment handed down on the Judicial Review of the XL Bully ban. Ban upheld – https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2024/3252

29/11 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill passes 2nd Reading in the House of Commons. Committee Stage is yet to be announced – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3821/news

29/11 Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill passes its 2nd Reading in the House of Commons. Committee Stage is yet to be announced – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3790

22/10 Renters’ Rights Bill – enters Committee Stage in the House of Commons https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages

21/10 The Pets (Microchips) Bills passes its 1st Reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3824/stages

21/10 The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amendment) Bill passes its 1st Reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3854/stages

21/10 Animals in Medical Research (Prohibition) Bill passes its 1st Reading in the House of Commons – https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3811/stages

09/10 Renters’ Rights Bill – Passes 2nd Reading in the House of Commons https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764/stages/18969

11/9 1st Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-reforms-to-give-greater-security-for-11-million-renters

24/8 Pet Abduction Act 2024 comes into force

26/7 Deadline for providing DEFRA with evidence that an exempted XL Bully type has been neutered (if the 30/6 deadline applied)

17/7 State Opening of Parliament – King’s Speech which will set out the legislative agenda of the new parliament

30/6 Deadline for neutering of an exempted XL Bully type which was a year old as at 31st January 2024

10/6 Start date for compulsory cat microchipping in England https://deframedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/14/coverage-of-new-microchipping-rules-for-cats/

30/5 Dissolution of Parliament (so any prospective Bills fail)

24/5 Pet Abduction Act 2024 granted Royal Assent

20/5 Dogs (Protection of Livestock)(Amendment) Bill – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Lords.

20/5 Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill – Beginning of 2nd Reading. Proceedings interrupted.

17/5 Dogs (Protection of Livestock)(Amendment) Bill – Enters Report Stage and Passes 3rd Reading in the House of Commons.

15/5 Renters (Reform) Bill – Passes 2nd Reading in the House of Lords [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3462/news]

10/5 Pet Abduction Bill – Passes 2nd Reading in the House of Lords

1/5 Renters (Reform) Bill – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Lords

24/4 Dogs (Protection of Livestock)(Amendment) Bill – Enters Committee Stage

24/4 Renters (Reform) Bill – Enters Report Stage and passes 3rd Reading in the House of Commons

22/4 Pet Abduction Bill – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Lords

19/4 Pet Abduction Bill – Enters Report Stage and passes 3rd Reading in the House of Commons

15/3 2nd Reading of The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats, Ferrets) Bill

7/3 – 10/3 Crufts at the NEC Birmingham. Cooper & Co will have a stand in Hall 3-118

23/2 Report stage of Pet Abduction Bill https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3549

2/2 2nd Reading of Dogs (Protection of Livestock)(Amendment) Bill in the House of Commons

31/1 Deadline for owners to exempt their XL Bully type dogs on the DEFRA portal.

31/1 Committee stage of Pet Abduction Bill in the House of Commons

19/1 2nd Reading of Pet Abduction Bill in the House of Commons

1/1 The Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 will allow a penalty notice to be issued for some specified animal related offences https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1350/made/data.pdf

31/12 The XL Bully type dog will become the 5th banned breed type in S1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. From this date, it will be illegal to breed from the dog, to sell it or give it away, or to allow it to be in a public place without a lead and muzzle.

11/12 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (Amendment) Bill – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Commons [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3631/stages]

11/12 Dogs (Protection of Livestock)(Amendment) Bill  – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Commons [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3570/stages]

11/12 Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Commons [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3584/stages]

11/12 Dangerous Dogs (Licensing) Bill – Passes 1st Reading in the House of Commons [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3632/stages]

6/12 1st Reading of The Pet Abduction Bill

6/12 1st Reading of The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats, Ferrets) Bill

24/11 Likely 2nd Reading of the Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3466/stages

14/11 Committee Stage of the Renters (Reform) Bill https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3462

8/11 1st and 2nd Reading of the Renters (Reform) Bill

7/11  The King’s Speech will take place, which will set out the Government’s legislative programme for the next session of Parliament https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66256991

23/10 2nd Reading of the Renters (Reform) Bill and carryover motion

18/10 Evidence session on XL Bullies at the EFRA committee https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/52/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/news/197535/efra-committee-to-hold-evidence-session-on-xl-bully-dogs/

16/9  Christine Middlemiss, the Chief Veterinary Officer said there will be an ‘amnesty’ for some XL Bullies (for info on how we expect this to operate see the linked document here)

15/9 The Prime Minister said that the XL Bully will be banned by the end of the year.

10/9 The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, announced on Twitter that she is taking urgent advice on banning the XL Bully.

20/7 End of the consultation for Penalty Notices for some animal offences https://consult.defra.gov.uk/animal-health-and-welfare/penalty-notices-for-ahw-offences-in-england/?fbclid=IwAR1eqzt6pGP3ad_rYRgomtka724jr-giMo3m0oVHj0mgsn6bJ-LKEuF7Tb4

1/7 Sentencing Guidelines for Animal Welfare Act 2006 offences come into force https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/crown-court?s&collection=animal-cruelty

13/6  Parliamentary debate in the Grand Committee on the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2023-06-13/debates/DA887313-93D8-45C9-914F-731F0D4BF25B/AnimalWelfare(ElectronicCollars)(England)Regulations2023

8/6  Confirmation that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill has been formally withdrawn  https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2880

25/5 Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill dropped by the Government https://news.sky.com/story/astonishing-betrayal-tories-face-backlash-for-scrapping-animal-welfare-bill-aimed-at-protecting-pets-and-livestock-12889320

25/5 Announcement of the members appointed to the Animal Sentience Committee https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/animal-sentience-committee?fbclid=IwAR1IjF75ZjI3Y9Vn7RQgP-ZKzktpzjU4bHCtS4eHMp-Mt_VBnc1YXHy-5gs

25/5 Start of the consultation for Penalty Notices for some animal offences https://consult.defra.gov.uk/animal-health-and-welfare/penalty-notices-for-ahw-offences-in-england/consultation/subpage.2023-05-19.9412344179/

23/5 1st Reading of the Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2023-05-23/mp-calls-for-fatal-dog-on-dog-attacks-to-be-criminal-offence-against-owner

17/5 1st Reading of the Renters (Reform) Bill https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guide-to-the-renters-reform-bill

16/5  The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 are revoked and, as regards dogs, they are replaced by the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/468/made

11/5 Early Day Motion 1159 tabled on the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/60889?fbclid=IwAR2x72tJf225PeToiu47obrJ87ra4IMSo29yGpaZSimvRkBk3pH5PouoHPQ

10/5 Sentencing Guidelines for Animal Welfare Act offences published https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/news/item/animal-cruelty-offences-new-sentencing-guidelines-published/

28/4 The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023 laid before Parliament https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348247305

25/4  The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations have been duly approved https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/468/made

13/3 The Microchipping of Cats & Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 laid before Parliament https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348246063