This Act makes provision with respect to the welfare of vertebrate animals in Northern Ireland. Animals are protected by this Act if they are of a kind which is commonly domesticated in Northern Ireland or if they are under the control of man or not living in a wild state. The Act, among other things: defines responsibilities of owners and persons in charge of an animal; defines unnecessary suffering inflicted on an animal as an offence; prohibits procedures which involve interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of the animal, for example castration, ear tagging and dehorning; restricts the use of poisons; promotes the welfare of animals; provides for the introduction of codes of practice for both farmed animals and other animals; provides for powers of enforcement of inspectors.