The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill has been published in
Parliament by today (Wednesday 5
February). The new Bill will enable tougher prison sentences for
the most serious perpetrators of animal cruelty, from the current
maximum of six months to up to five years.
This would be one of the toughest sanctions for animal abuse in
Europe, strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader on
animal welfare.
The Bill follows
a public
consultation in 2017, 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, cruelty towards domestic pets
including puppies and kittens, or gross neglect of farm
animals.
Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset said:
“I was shocked to learn that in 2019 the RSPCA investigated more
than 130,700 complaints of cruelty against animals and secured
1,678 convictions. I believe tougher sentencing will act as a
greater deterrent against the worst examples of animal cruelty.
“We are renowned as a nation of animal lovers and Britain needs
to lead the world on animal welfare legislation. Indeed I rescued
my own dog Poppy; a Springer Spaniel, who was abandoned as a
puppy at the roadside, and she is part of the inspiration for me
introducing this Bill.”
Environment Secretary said:
“There is no place in this country for animal cruelty, which
is why I am delighted the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill
is being introduced to Parliament to raise prison terms for
the worst abusers. It is a crucial piece of
legislation which will help deter criminals and will ensure
robust and appropriate action is taken if they are found
guilty.
“I want to thank , and all those who have
campaigned for this Bill, for introducing it today. The
Government will continue to support it as it makes its way
through Parliament.
“This Bill builds on all the work this government is doing to
raise the bar on animal welfare even further, including our
forthcoming consultation on ending excessively long journeys for
live animals and call for evidence on the welfare of primates as
pets amongst others.”
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 fight other animals,
including trapping a fox and a terrier dog in a cage to
brutally attack each other. He was jailed for 22 weeks and
disqualified from keeping animals for life.
RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said:
“We are pleased a new Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill is being
introduced and hope it will be “third time lucky” for this
proposed legislation following a couple of false starts last
year.
“We see horrendous acts of cruelty perpetrated on animals and
have long campaigned for the current maximum six-month jail term
to be increased to five years. The Bill has come so close to
being enacted in the past - let’s not allow this important change
to animal cruelty sentencing to slip through our hands.”
Battersea’s Chief Executive, Claire Horton CBE, said:
"We are greatly encouraged to see the Animal Welfare (Sentencing)
Bill back in Parliament, which was a manifesto commitment for
most parties at the recent General Election, and applaud Mr Loder
in choosing to bring this crucial measure back to Westminster.
There is overwhelming public support to see this through and
increase maximum sentences for the most shocking cases of animal
abuse.
“At Battersea, we see animals who have suffered unimaginable
cruelty and we have been campaigning for this change for a long
time - we ask MPs to deliver this legislation at last and make a
difference for animals everywhere. It's time to show the world
that the UK is a nation of animal lovers and we won’t stand for
cruelty and abuse.”
PC David Wardell, Finn’s handler said:
“To hear the announcement today that animal abusers are set to
face tougher sentences, #FinnsLawPart2, is fantastic news and
will of course ensure that all animals, including our amazing
service animals, will have the best protections available in law.
“I thank the public, Chris Loder and the government’s support for
this second and vital part of our #Finnslaw campaigns”.
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.
