The veterinarian and animal welfare

At no important point does the Animals Protection Statute mention the competence of Veterinarians, but the "competent Authority". Also, the Animal Epidemics Statute and the Federal Hunting Statute provide for the cooperation of the veterinarian, but not for his competence to make decisions. This situation is even being overlooked by the investigating authorities, when in the case of using animals for "sport" or other problematic events, questions of the animals psychology and ethology have to be dealt with. In the courts the remarks of non-specialist qualified persons can lead to wrong decisions as can either unsuitable or wrong evidence.     

Animal welfare and the veterinary profession

Extract

The veterinary profession has a unique responsibility to society at the interface of animals and man. Veterinarians are trained in the healing sciences as well as in animal biology and management, formal training in animal welfare is now given in the undergraduate course, and the physiology of stress is taught in biology. This assists veterinarians to objectively assess the impact of the environment on animals, removing the frequently faulty interpretations that anthropomorphism presents in some situations. The scientific training of veterinarians also allows them to accurately assess the worth of various procedures in laboratories and on farms.