The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (citation 5 & 6 Will. 4, c. 59), which was intended to protect animals from mistreatment.
The British legal action to protect animals began with the passing of the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 to Prevent Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle. The 1835 Act amended the existing legislation to include (as 'cattle') bulls, dogs, bears and sheep, to prohibit bear-baiting and cockfighting, which facilitated further legislation to protect animals, create shelters, veterinary hospitals and more humane transportation and slaughter. It did not extend protection to wild animals.
The law was passed in part due to lobbying by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (founded 1824). The Act was repealed and replaced by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1849 12 & 13 Vict. c. 92.
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