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<p>The Government is supporting the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill as it makes its
way through Parliament. The Bill will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal
cruelty from six months’ imprisonment to five years’ imprisonment.</p><p> </p><p>The
new maximum penalty of five years is in line with campaigns by key stakeholders such
as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. This is a positive step
forward in improving animal welfare and will act as a serious deterrent against cruelty
and neglect. Northern Ireland has already set the maximum penalty for animal cruelty
offences at five years’ imprisonment, and the Scottish Government introduced the Animals
and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill on 30 September 2019.
The Welsh Government has confirmed that the new maximum penalty being proposed should
apply in Wales.</p><p> </p><p>The increase to five years' imprisonment will provide
one of the toughest sanctions in Europe, strengthening the UK's position as a global
leader on animal welfare. This builds on recent positive action the Government has
taken to improve animal welfare standards, such as a requirement for CCTV in all slaughterhouses
and implementing one of the world's toughest ivory bans. For companion animals, we
have introduced new updated minimum welfare standards for pet selling, dog breeding,
riding schools, animal boarding and exhibiting animals, as well as a ban on the commercial
third-party sale of puppies and kittens.</p>
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