Wales to toughen jail sentences on animal abusers

The RSPCA report that Wales is looking into toughening their laws surrounding animal abuse so jail sentences can become stricter. The proposal is asking for those convicted of animal cruelty to be jailed for a minimum of five years as oppose to the current six months.

The animal charity said:

The Welsh Government has laid a legislative consent memorandum (LCM) which would allow provisions in the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, a Westminster Private Members' Bill sponsored by Chris Loder MP, to apply to Wales too. Members of the Senedd will vote on the LCM, and should they support it, such changes would apply in Wales too.

Wales and England have some of the lowest jail sentences for animal abusers

The head of RSPCA's public affairs, David Bowles, explains that England and Wales have some of the least strict sentences for animal abusers in the world:

We have long supported tougher sentences being made available in courts - and this LCM paves the way for Chris Loder MP's backbench Bill to apply to Wales too. Sadly, England and Wales have some of the lowest sentences for animal welfare offences in the world. The punishments available are too often totally inadequate and that needs to change

And added:

The clock is now ticking to get justice for animals. Supporters can act now to make sure the Bill becomes law before the next Queen's Speech - which will now mean positive change for animals in both England and Wales

Animal welfare issues

The new law would be protecting animals from clinical and laboratory testing and any other form of animal cruelty including, dog fights and general forms of animal neglect.

On top of jail sentences, fines are also given for lesser offences that start at £5,000 and can go all the up to £20,000.