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Animal Abusers Will Now Face Longer Sentences For Their Crimes

Animal Abusers Will Now Face Longer Sentences For Their Crimes

Michael Gove made the announcement.

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

Britain is renowned, somewhat ashamedly, for having some of the more 'relaxed' sentences when it comes to animal abuse.

However, Michael Gove, the environment secretary, last night toughened up the rules which will now see abusers jailed for up to five years for the mistreatment of pets and livestock.

Prior to this new action, the maximum sentence was only six months.

Credit: PA

Speaking on Thursday, Gove said: "We are a nation of animal lovers and so we must ensure that those who commit the most shocking cruelty towards animals face suitably tough punishments.

"These plans will give courts the tools they have requested to deal with the most abhorrent acts."

He's expected to outline his plans in greater detail at next week's Tory party conference where he will put forward ideas to 'deliver world-leading standards of animal welfare in the years ahead'.

Each year, over 1,100 people are found guilty of animal abuse, but only a few were handed the maximum sentence of six months.

Courts will also be able to hand out unlimited fines, and, as with the current legal system, ban offenders from owning animals in the future.

Australia, Canada and Ireland all currently have prison sentence structures in place for those who commit animal cruelty.

Credit: PA

Some American states are even creating registers for those who are found guilty of animal abuse.

Tennessee introduced the system back in January 2016, with areas of New York and Illinois following suit.

Citizens in Tennessee can view the names, dates of birth, addresses and crime details of people convicted of cruelty to animals in the state.

Speaking of Gove's ruling, RSPCA head of public affairs, David Bowles, said: "We are thrilled that the Government has responded to calls from the RSPCA and members of the public to toughen up sentences for the worst animal abusers.

"We now feel that those who commit these acts will soon be receiving sentences that reflect the seriousness of their crime and hope this will act as a real deterrent against cruelty and neglect."

Credit: PA

The famous Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has also welcomed the news, with boss Claire Horton saying she is 'thrilled'.

She said: "This shows that the political will is there to make the punishment fit the crime and so many innocent animals will benefit from their actions.

"This news will be very positively received by the public, the majority of whom share Battersea's wish to see this change."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Animal Cruelty, RSPCA, Cats, Dogs