Government sets out legislation to increase maximum sentences for
animal cruelty, following strong support from public and welfare
groups.
Environment Secretary has announced a new bill to
enable tougher prison sentences for the worst animal abusers
which will be introduced to Parliament today (Wednesday 26 June).
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill means that animal abusers
could face up to five years in prison, a significant increase
from the current maximum sentence of six months.
This will make it one of the toughest sanctions in Europe,
strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader on animal
welfare.
The Bill follows a public consultation last year, in which more
than 70% of people supported the proposals for tougher prison
sentences. It means the courts will be able to take a tougher
approach to cases such as dog fighting, abuse of puppies and
kittens, or gross neglect of farm animals.
Environment Secretary said:
“There is no place in this country for animal cruelty. That is
why I want to make sure that those who abuse animals are met with
the full force of the law. Our new Bill sends a clear message
that this behaviour will not be tolerated, with the maximum
five-year sentence one of the toughest punishments in Europe.
“I am committed to making our country the best place in the world
for the care and protection of animals.”
The RSPCA received 1,175,193 calls to their 24-hour cruelty
hotline in 2018 with a call every 27 seconds.
There have also been a number of cases in the last few years in
which the courts said they would have handed down longer
sentences had they been available.
Recent examples include a case when a man trained dogs to
ruthlessly torture other animals, including trapping a fox and a
terrier dog in a cage to brutally attack each other. Another
example of animal cruelty is included in the link / video above
which is available for use by media.
Animal Welfare Minister, , said:
“These increased maximum sentences will act as a serious
deterrent against cruelty and neglect in the future. This step
builds on recent positive action we have taken to protect
animals, including plans to ban third party puppy and kitten
sales and banning the use of wild animals in circuses.”
Claire Horton, Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home,
said:
“The introduction of this bill is a landmark achievement, which
will make a profound difference to dogs and cats in England and
Wales.
“We, and many other rescue centres, see shocking cases of cruelty
and neglect come through our gates and there are many more
animals that are dumped and don’t even make it off the streets.
Research shows that tougher prison sentences act as a deterrent
to would-be criminals, so today’s announcement should prevent the
suffering of many animals in the future.”
Today’s announcement complements Finn’s Law, which came into
effect earlier this month and provides increased protection for
service dogs and horses. It was named after a German shepherd
named Finn, a police dog stabbed in the head and chest in 2016
while trying to catch a man suspected of robbing a taxi driver at
gunpoint.
If passed into law, today’s Bill means that that someone who
attacks a police dog could face a sentence of five years in
prison.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill will be introduced into the
House of Commons, before moving through to the House of Lords. If
passed, it will come into effect in two months after it receives
Royal Assent.
