People who abuse animals now face longer maximum prison sentences after a tougher law has been passed.
A bill was passed yesterday, which means those harming animals could be sent to jail for up to five years.
Offenders can also be given an unlimited fine under the new law, which will come into force across England and Wales on June 29 this year.
The chief executive of the RSPCA, Chris Sherwood, 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.
‘This reform is long overdue – for many years, the most violent and horrific abuse and cruelty received a maximum penalty of just a few months.
‘We’re proud to have some of the best standards of animal welfare in the world but custodial sentences have long been letting us down.’
The sentences will now be some of the toughest in Europe, sending a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.
They will enable courts to take a firmer approach to cases including dog fighting, abuse of puppies and kittens, illegally cropping a dog’s ears and gross neglect of farm animals.
A consultation in 2017 received over 9,000 responses and showed strong public support for tougher sentences.
Animal welfare groups including the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home launched campaigns to pass the bill, which was introduced by Dorset MP Chris Loder last February.
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.’
New legislation to protect service animals – known as ‘Finn’s Law’ – came into force in June 2019 and stops those who attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence.
It is named after Finn, a police dog who was stabbed whilst pursuing a suspect, but only criminal damage charges could be brought against the attacker.
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