Tougher prison sentences for animal cruelty will come into
force this summer after the Animal Welfare (Sentencing)
Bill received Royal Assent today. This means that the
maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty will be raised
from six months to five years from 29 June 2021.
The new maximum penalty will enable courts to take a firmer
approach to cases such as dog fighting, abuse of puppies
and kittens, illegally cropping a dog’s ears and gross
neglect of farm animals. As well as a prison sentence,
offenders can also receive an unlimited fine.
The more stringent sentences will be some of the toughest
in Europe. The Act will help ensure courts are able to
enforce extended penalties for those who cruelly mistreat
any animal, sending a clear message that animal cruelty
will not be tolerated.
A public consultation in 2017 received over 9,000 responses
and showed strong public support for proposals on tougher
sentences. The measure is also widely supported by animal
welfare groups including the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs &
Cats Home. The Private Members Bill was introduced by
in
February 2020 and with the full support of the Government
has now passed into law.
New legislation to protect service animals, known as
‘Finn’s Law’,
came into force in June 2019 and prevents 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.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act, coupled with ‘Finn’s
Law’, ensures that those who harm either service or any
other animals are punished accordingly.
PC David Wardell, Finn the police dog’s handler,
said:
I started this journey four-and-a-half years ago to right a
wrong, to ensure that our amazing service animals had the
protection they deserved whilst serving our communities.
I am absolutely over the moon that today sees the final
piece of the #FinnsLaw project put into place with a new
five-year maximum sentence for those who attack our service
animals, or who commit cruelty or neglect upon any of this
nation’s animals.
Battersea’s Chief Executive, Peter Laurie,
said:
Thanks to the unwavering support of everyone who stood with
us as we launched our campaign, including well over 100
MPs, to speak up for animals who have no voice of their
own, we’ve changed the future for animals in this country
and now the punishment for these horrendous acts of cruelty
can finally fit the crime.
Parliament has sent a clear message today – we will not
tolerate animal abuse in this country.
Chris Sherwood, RSPCA Chief Executive,
said:
This law is a huge step forward for animal welfare in the
UK and we’re delighted that justice will now be served for
animals.
Tougher sentences will act as a stronger deterrent to
potential animal abusers and will help us in our aim to
stamp out animal cruelty once and for all.
The new sentences will be available for the courts to use
from 29 June 2021 onwards.
