Sentencing - RSPCA Political Animal
Animal Cruelty Sentencing
While the maximum prison sentence for those convicted of animal cruelty offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 previously stood at six months, this was increased in Wales and England via the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act in 2021. As a result, those found guilty of such crimes can now be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison. Those who have been found to have abused animals or compromised their welfare can also be given fines up to £20,000, be ordered to undertake rehabilitation and/or community work or disqualified from keeping animals.
In practice, many offenders are given suspended sentences and fines in the hundreds of pounds, despite the law allowing a lot more. In the past, some of the most horrific acts of animal cruelty have received sentences members of the public have considered too lenient. However, we are now starting to see tougher sentences being given out as judges are able to utilise the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. While the relevant punishments are decided upon by the courts that hear such cases, we recognise that they are still not always in line with what the public - or ourselves - would like to see in terms of consequence and deterrent. As such, we are calling for a review of the AWA by the UK Government in the near future to ensure that it is as strong and as effective as possible so that those who abuse animals can be properly brought to justice.