Black Country MPs welcome move to increase animal cruelty sentences

Offenders across England and Wales currently serve a maximum custodial penalty of six months for the crime.

But legislation introduced by Chris Loder MP could see the term increase to five years to crackdown on the issue.

Jane Stevenson, Mike Wood and John Spellar – who represent parts of Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell – all backed the move.

Ms Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, speaking in Parliament on the animal welfare bill, said: "Sentences for animal cruelty in the UK have been woefully lenient and I am delighted that the Government are supporting the bill to increase animal sentencing from six months to five years.

"I am proud that the Government have made significant progress on animal welfare issues such as microchipping, which is so important, the import of hunting trophies, and puppy farming, but there is still work to do. I urge the Government not to rest on their laurels and I hope we get the bill enacted very soon.

"The vast majority of the public, including many of my constituents in Wolverhampton North East, want people who commit awful acts of animal cruelty to be prosecuted and punished for them."

Mr Spellar, MP for Warley, called for tougher sentencing and the enforcement of micro-chipping laws – claiming those who violate them are "often subjects of interest" in other crimes.

Victoria Prentis MP, speaking on behalf of the Government, committed to doing everything she can to ensure the bill reaches its next stage – the committee stage – and on its way to becoming law.

Mr Wood, MP for Dudley South, said: "Violence towards service animals has always struck any right-minded person as unacceptable, and it is pleasing that the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019 is now in statute.

"I look forward to this bill joining it, to ensure sentences that are appropriate for the most sickening cases of animal cruelty."