New legislation to protect service animals, such as police dogs
and horses, will come in to force today (8 June)
The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill, known as ‘Finn’s Law’,
will prevent those who attack or injure service animals from
claiming self-defence.
The law is named after Finn, a police dog who was stabbed whilst
pursuing a suspect with his handler PC David Wardell. Finn
sustained serious stab wounds to the chest and head, but only
criminal damage charges could be brought against his
attacker.
This new legislation, 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.
According to the group which led the campaign for this law, more
than one hundred other service animals have been injured
since 2012. This includes injuries such as being beaten with
an iron bar, kicked or hit by a car.
Environment Secretary said:
“This law is about giving our service animals the protection they
deserve as they dedicate their lives to keeping us safe.
“I am committed to making the UK the best place in the world for
the care and protection of animals.
“Congratulations to all those who have campaigned to make Finn’s
Law a reality and to Sir for campaigning for this from
the start.”
PC David Wardell said:
“The last two and a half years have been quite a journey of
discovery for Finn and me. We decided that we just had to bring
change to make sure our amazing service animals, including police
dogs and horses, had protection in law. We wanted to bring as
much positive from that one negative as we could.
“The campaign was run positively on my and my family’s request
and it was wonderful to see so many thousands of people getting
involved. Clearly our service animals are held in high regard, as
they should be. We must now make sure we follow up this amazing
news on #FinnsLaw with #FinnsLawPart2, the increase in sentencing
as soon as possible.”
Sir MP said:
“I am very pleased that the measure that began 18 months ago as
my Ten Minute Rule Bill was so strongly supported by colleagues
across the House, that it is now on the statute book. I pay great
tribute to the Campaign Team, Sarah Dixon, Nicola Skelley and
above all, my constituent, PC Dave Wardell and the marvellous
Finn. From today, service animals and their handlers have the
legal recognition they deserve.”
This law coming into force follows the government recently
introducing legislation in Parliament to achieve Lucy’s Law. This
will ban the third party sale of puppies and kittens and
alongside our other reforms, including introducing mandatory CCTV
in slaughterhouses, will help to cement the UK’s position as a
global leader on animal welfare.
