The RSPCA
is celebrating after the long-awaited Animal Welfare
(Sentencing) Bill completed all stages in the House of Commons
today (Friday 12 March) and now moves forward to the House of
Lords.
The Bill - which was brought forward by -
completed its House of Commons phase, meaning it’ll now move to the
House of Lords for the next stage.
The landmark step comes four years after the UK Government
pledged to reform the maximum sentence for those prosecuted under
the Animal Welfare Act in England, increasing maximum prison
terms from six months to five years. The RSPCA and other welfare
organisations have long been campaigning for tougher
sentencing, a move which was supported by cross-party
politicians.
In Wales, the Welsh Government is expected to put a legislative
consent motion before the Welsh Parliament - meaning any change
in law in England would likely apply in Wales too.
, RSPCA director of advocacy and policy, said: “England
and Wales - a nation of self-described animal-lovers - has, for
far too long, lagged behind other countries when it comes to
sentencing those responsible for some of the most unimaginable
cruelty to animals.
“Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and most of
Europe have increased their maximum sentences to five years and
the RSPCA has long been campaigning to bring sentences here in
England and Wales in line.”
England and Wales currently have some of the lowest sentences for
animal welfare offences in the world.
She continued: “Each year the RSPCA investigates around 100,000
complaints of cruelty to animals, including incidents of
unspeakable violence as well as harrowing cases of neglect and
abuse,” Heidi added.
“We’re thrilled that the Sentencing Bill is now one step closer
to being introduced and that, soon, animals will be better
protected and courts will have stronger sentences at their
disposal when passing judgement on the worst animal abusers.
“We believe all parties wish to get the Bill onto the statute
book in this parliamentary session - before the next Queen’s
Speech which is expected in May - because MPs and Peers agree
with us that no suffering animal can afford to wait another
minute.
“It’s time the sentences imposed on individuals who cause pain
and suffering to animals reflect the severity of the crimes they
are committing because current sentences available are completely
inadequate.”
Some recent animal welfare cases prosecuted by the RSPCA in
recent months include:
A tiny kitten violently attacked by her owner and left with
bleeding, missing teeth, chest trauma, bruising around her neck
and injuries consistent with attempted drowning.
A man who stabbed his dog to death and buried the body in the
back garden was sent to prison. The Staffie had five wounds to
the neck, legs and throat and could have been bleeding any time
from a few minutes to a few hours. The attack seemed to have been
triggered by the dog biting the owner when he was drunk.
A man who burned a cat in a hot oven, tried to flush her down the
toilet, attempted to strangle her and threw her against the wall
was given a suspended prison sentence. The cat was taken to the
vet and found to have third degree burns and loss of skin. The
owner admitted putting her in the oven for up to five minutes.
The magistrate called him “dangerous man” and her sentencing
powers were insufficient for the offence.
A dog left bleeding and with a fractured hip after being beaten
by kitchen utensils. Two men received suspended jail sentences.
