Courageous service animals such as police dogs
and horses will be offered greater protection under a new law
being backed by Government.
The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill has
been published in Parliament by Sir MP and is scheduled for its
second reading today (Friday 15
June).
It relates to the prominent Finn’s Law
campaign, named after the police dog which was stabbed whilst
pursuing a suspect with his handler PC David Wardell.
The proposed legislation will remove a section
of the current law of self-defence, often used by those who harm
a service animal.
This change, coupled with the government’s
plans to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty offences
to five years in prison, will make sure those who harm service
animals are punished accordingly.
Environment Secretary said:
“This
Bill will offer stronger protection for the
many brave service animals that help to protect us. I pay tribute
to PC David Wardell, Sir Oliver and all those who have campaigned
for Finn’s Law.
“This Government is continuing to raise the
bar on animal welfare, whether it be for our beloved pets, brave
service animals or on farms.”
PC Dave Wardell, Finn’s
Police Dog handler, said:
"My boy Finn, now retired, was one of several
thousand service animals that work to protect the whole of
society 24 hours a day, everyday. When Finn was seriously injured
it didn't seem right to me or the public that he was seen as an
inanimate object/property, in law.
“This campaign and Bill is my way of saying
thank you to Finn for saving my life and to the many others for
the truly outstanding and brave work they do everyday.
“With the amazing support of my MP, Sir
QC, a great working
relationship with DEFRA was formed. Sir Oliver, along with Sarah
Dixon and Nicola Skelley, have worked so incredibly hard to get
us to the point we are at today. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank them and DEFRA from my heart and from the
thousands of supporters that our service animals have.
“What you have done today will help protect
our amazing service animals, animals we should be very proud of.
It's time for Finn's Law"
The Bill
proposes amending the Animal Welfare Act
2006 to address concerns on an existing section where a defendant
accused of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal can claim
they were protecting themselves and justified in using physical
force against a service animal.
Sir MP, who presented the Bill,
said:
“I
am delighted that the campaign for Finn’s Law has gained the
support of the Government.
“I’ve had productive meetings with Defra
ministers on this Bill and am looking forward to its passage
through Parliament. This is a good day for all of our brave
service animals.”
Nicola Skelley and Sarah Dixon, of the
Finn’s Law Campaign,
said:
"We are absolutely delighted to receive and
welcome the backing from DEFRA to Sir Oliver Heald's amended
Bill.
“Throughout the Finn's Law campaign we have
been grateful to , in particular, for the
respectful discussions he has held with Sir Oliver.
“For too long have the Courts struggled with
securing prosecutions for injuries intentionally inflicted on
Police and Prison dogs and horses in particular.
“We are looking forward to the 2nd reading of
Sir Oliver's Bill and we feel
optimistic for a positive outcome. We will continue to work
tirelessly towards securing protection for these animals.
