A person commits an offence if—
(a) he carries out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal;
(b) he causes such a procedure to be carried out on such an animal.
(2) A person commits an offence if—
(a) he is responsible for an animal,
(b) another person carries out a prohibited procedure on the animal, and
(c) he permitted that to happen or failed to take such steps (whether by
way of supervising the other person or otherwise) as were reasonable
in all the circumstances to prevent that happening.
(3) References in this section to the carrying out of a prohibited procedure on an
animal are to the carrying out of a procedure which involves interference with
the sensitive tissues or bone structure of the animal, otherwise than for the
purpose of its medical treatment.
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in such circumstances as the appropriate
national authority may specify by regulations.
(5) Before making regulations under subsection (4), the appropriate national
authority shall consult such persons appearing to the authority to represent
any interests concerned as the authority considers appropriate.
(6) Nothing in this section applies to the removal of the whole or any part of a
dog’s tail.