Animal charities welcome stricter penalties for cruelty offences.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill introduced in February 2020 has taken a crucial step forward after passing the committee stage in the House of Commons.
The Bill, which passed its second reading in October 2020, will raise the maximum jail sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years – in line with the new maximum sentences in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
MP Chris Loder, who reintroduced the increase to maximum sentences as a Private Member’s Bill after the previous Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was dropped, said: “Today, in the House of Commons, we are one step closer to increasing tenfold the maximum custodial penalty for those who abuse animals.
“The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, but in terms of penalties we are currently amongst the lowest. I am so pleased that this Bill is making progress today, sending a clear signal to potential offenders that there is no place for animal cruelty in this country.”
The bill will now proceed to the report stage and the the third reading before moving to the House of Lords.
Battersea’s interim chief executive, Peter Laurie, said: “This is a significant step forward for animal welfare. It has been a long time coming and we’re encouraged to at last see headway being made in Westminster. We look forward to seeing the Bill completing its passage in this parliamentary term.”
The RSPCA also welcomed the Bill's progress, with director of advocacy and policy Heidi Allen adding: “The current sentences available to courts dealing with abhorrent acts of violence against animals as well as serious, organised animal crime are completely inadequate.
“It’s time this changed and our courts had more power when it comes to sentencing the perpetrators of these hideous crimes. So we implore all MPs, Peers and the Government to do everything they can to get Chris Loder’s Bill through.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
