Stuart was delighted to learn today that the Government have introduced the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill will amend the current maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to up to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Stuart said: “I am very pleased to see the plans to bring forward legislation to introduce tougher sentences for animal cruelty is being implemented.
I know many of my constituents are very passionate about animal welfare and this is a passion I share. I also know that the new five-year penalty is in line with the campaigns from a number of organisations such as the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and I trust they will welcome the Bill as a serious deterrent against animal cruelty and neglect. I will be monitoring this Bill very closely as it makes its passage through Parliament and will be doing all I can to ensure this becomes law as quickly as possible.”