Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822


The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom with the long title "An Act to prevent the cruel and improper Treatment of Cattle"; it is sometimes known as Martin's Act, after the MP and animal welfare campaigner Richard Martin. It is the first known piece of animal welfare legislation in the world.
The act listed "ox, cow, heifer, steer, sheep, or other cattle". This was held not to include bulls. Section 2 of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 extended the wording of this act to remedy the issue.

Subsequent developments

The act was repealed by section 1 of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835.