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People found guilty of the worst animal cruelty will face five years in prison.
Under a new law proposed for England and Wales people who are found guilty of the worst animal cruelty cases will face up to five years in prison. The maximum term would increase from the maximum term currently of six months in a parliamentary bill from Environment secretary Michael Gove.
Dog fighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, or gross neglect of farm animals will carry the harshest sentences. The bill will complement Finns Law, which was brought in to provide more protection for service dogs and horses the law was named after German shepherd Finn who was stabbed and seriously hurt while trying to protect his handler PC Wardell from an attack in 2016. Finns Law was passed into legislation earlier this month and it also carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Courts have wanted to give out longer sentences for a long time but have not been able to do so.
Toughest animal cruelty charges in Europe.
The new law will fetch in one of the toughest punishments in Europe for animal cruelty. The new sentencing bill for animal cruelty has backing from animal welfare groups, and in a public consultation last year more than 70% of people supported plans for tougher sentences.
The chief executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home believes that the bill will be a landmark achievement and will make a colossal difference. They and many other rescue centres see every day shocking cases of cruelty and neglect. Sadly many more animals are dumped and don’t even make it off the streets.
What is the opinion of our Grimsby Independent followers do you agree with the new maximum sentence?
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