Tougher sentences for animal abusers have moved closed to becoming law, as a proposed bill went unopposed at second reading.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill would increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences 10-fold from six months in prison to five years.

Conservative Chris Loder (West Dorset), who introduced the move, said he was inspired to do so after a mistreated dog he found abandoned by a road became his family’s treasured pet.

Environment minister Victoria Prentis was among those to support the Bill, describing it as “absolutely necessary”.

She told MPs: “This Bill has the full support of the Government and we will do all we can to support its swift passage without amendment through the Commons and the Lords as soon as we possibly can.”

Labour also backed the legislation, with shadow environment minister Daniel Zeichner pressing for no further delays.

He said: “There is a correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence.

“I’m told women in domestic violence shelters are 11 times more likely to report that a partner had hurt or killed a pet.”

Earlier, Mr Loder said: “I have decided to sponsor this important Bill, inspired by the story of my own dog, a four-year-old springer spaniel who I’ve named Poppy.

“Poppy was abandoned on a stormy night in January last year. She had been dumped at the top of a hill, miles from the nearest town or village, and it was at the roadside on that hilltop lane in my constituency that I found her whilst driving home.

“Poppy was in a bad state when I found her. She had clearly been mistreated: her pads were red raw, there were cuts to her leg, she had nasty growths and she needed three teeth removed. And evidence suggested that shortly before I found her she had given birth to a litter of puppies.

“My dad, being someone who has taken care of animals on our farm for his whole life, took her for the emergency veterinary care that she needed before bringing her home to live with my mum and dad on our farm.

“She now enjoys a wonderful new life as a member of the Loder family, enjoying the green and pleasant land of my home in West Dorset.

“This Bill amends the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which currently sets out a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or unlimited fine for the most serious prevention of harm offences.”

Victoria Prentis
Victoria Prentis supported the Bill as ‘absolutely necessary’ (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA)

Mr Loder called the current maximum sentence a “gross injustice”.

He added: “A mere six months discourages no one. So we must establish in the law of England and Wales a much tougher maximum penalty.

“By increasing the penalty 10-fold, we hope to suitably discourage the shocking behaviour that leads to the neglect and cruelty of animals.”

Conservative Neil Parish, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, said: “The current penalties for animal welfare offences are feeble. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime, sentences for animal cruelty are woefully low.

“How is it right that a person in this country can maim, torture and murder a pet and only receive a maximum sentence of six months?

“Too often those charged with the most violent animal welfare offences do not even receive a custodial sentence.”

Conservative Sarah Atherton (Wrexham) also gave a warning about the increasing number of dog and cat adoptions during the pandemic.

Ms Atherton told MPs: “Preparing for today I spoke to vets in my constituency of Wrexham. They tell me they are currently concerned about what is termed as ‘Covid pups’ – and I take the opportunity to highlight, on their behalf, a dog is for life, not just for a lockdown.

“My local vets have raised concerns about dogs purchased since March. These pets have not had the opportunity to be raised and socialised in the wider community but in a solitary household.

“Let’s hope we don’t see an increase in abuse and abandonment of pets due to possible behavioural problems or the cost of looking after pets as Covid restrictions continue.”

Responding to the debate, Ms Prentis added: “On live animal exports, we have a manifesto commitment to end long journeys to slaughter and fattening.

“We will be launching a public consultation, I am very, very pleased to say, later this year.”

The Bill will undergo further scrutiny at a later date.