Thank you for contacting me about the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill
There is no place in this country for animal cruelty, and we must ensure that those who abuse animals are met with the full force of the law. The new Bill will enable tougher prison sentences for the most serious perpetrators of animal cruelty, from the current maximum of six months to up to five years.
I believe that this increase in sentencing will send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated. The maximum five-year sentence will become one of the toughest punishments in Europe, strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare.
The Bill was debated at second reading on Friday 23 October 2020 and you can read the debate via the following link https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2020-10-23b.1348.0
The Bill has now been sent to the Public Bill Committee, where the Bill will be scrutinised line by line. The first sitting of the Public Bill Committee will be on a date to be confirmed.
If you would like to follow the progress of this Bill, you can do so, via the following link.
https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/animalwelfaresentencing.html