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<p>Animal cruelty is a summary offence with a maximum penalty of a level 5 (unlimited)
fine and/or 6 months’ imprisonment. The maximum penalty for any offence is set by
Parliament to deal with the most serious possible cases. Guidance on sentencing for
this offence is contained in the Magistrates’ Courts Sentencing Guidelines, which
are published by the independent Sentencing Council.</p><br /><p>These are the sentencing
starting points from the guidelines for animal cruelty, based on a first time offender
pleading not guilty:</p><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em>Examples of nature of activity</em></p></td><td><p><em>Starting
point Range</em></p></td><td><p><em>Range</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>One impulsive
act causing little or no injury;</p></td><td><p>short term neglect</p></td><td><p>Band
C fine Band B fine to medium level community</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Several incidents
of deliberate ill-treatment/frightening</p></td><td><p>High level community order</p></td><td><p>Medium
level community order to 12 weeks custody</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Attempt to kill/torture;
animal baiting/conducting or permitting cock-fighting etc.; prolonged neglect</p></td><td><p>18
weeks custody</p></td><td><p>12 to 26 weeks custody</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br
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