Thank you for contacting me about sentencing for offences of animal cruelty.
I am pleased that we have a robust legal framework to tackle this vicious behaviour in the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal.
The courts must decide what the penalty should be for each individual case, taking into account its circumstances and the guidelines laid down by the Sentencing Council. Currently, in addition to the maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine, the courts can also disqualify offenders from keeping animals for as long as they consider appropriate.
The Government routinely monitors sentencing policy for all offences, including animal welfare offences. As you may be aware the Government has already announced its intention to bring forward legislation to increase punishments for the most horrific acts of animal cruelty to five years.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me about this important issue.
