Law to toughen animal cruelty offences welcomed by Wolverhampton MP
A law which could see tougher sentences introduced for animal cruelty offences has been welcomed by a Wolverhampton MP.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill has passed through the House of Commons stages and is one step closer to becoming law.
The progress has been welcomed Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, who owns two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Ms Stevenson said: "I am absolutely delighted that the Animal Welfare Bill has made it through all of its stages in the House of Commons, and I was honoured to serve on the committee which oversaw this. Toughening custodial sentences for animal cruelty offences is the right thing to do, and I know this means a lot to so many pet owners.
"I thank the Government for supporting the legislation and allowing time for it to be debated. As a nation of animal lovers, it cannot be right that we currently have some of the lowest sentences for these offences in the world. So I am pleased that we are one step closer to introducing tougher sentences for animal cruelty."
The legislation – known as Finn's Law Part 2 – will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty offences from six months to five years. It follows a successful campaign in 2019 to make it an offence to harm animals in the line of their duty, such as police dogs.
The bill is named after Finn, a police dog who was attacked along with his owner Pc Dave Wardell in 2016 while attempting to arrest someone. Finn was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal for Bravery, and both Finn and Pc Wardell appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.
They have since led the campaign to protect service animals and now want to see tougher punishments for animal cruelty.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill is set to pass through the House of Lords before receiving Royal assent – and officially becoming law.
