Well, the usual fatuous response to an expression of concern from the public
You may recall some time ago we were asked to sign the following petition. The response came today and follows on from the wording of the petition...
"no matter how small or trivial the act may be, animal cruelty is totally sick and the pain that some of this worlds animals have gone through because of some sick human is bad enough, only for them to be told "they can't own another pet for 3 months", or a small fine, or any other slap on the wrists is OUT OF ORDER! the government must face up to the fact that they have a responsibility to the UK's animals, and give prison sentences to EVERYONE found guilty of cruelty to animals. it is the only way that the sick people who do this pay for the pain they inflict on these animals, and that they are justly punished. we must stop this torture, and make those who inflict it pay the price. a prison sentence will make them think twice before carrying out their sick act."
Read the petition
Petitions home page
Read the Government's responseUnder the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of the animal. For the purposes of the Act, an animal's needs include the need:
for a suitable environment;
for a suitable diet;
to be able to exhibit normal behaviour;
to be housed with or apart from other animals; and
to be protected from pain, suffering, injury or disease.
Any person or organisation may initiate criminal proceedings under the Animal Welfare Act where there is reason to believe that unnecessary suffering has been caused or an animal's welfare needs are not being met.
On conviction, the maximum penalties available for an offence of unnecessary suffering are a fine of £20,000 or six month's imprisonment, or both. The maximum penalties for failing to provide for the welfare of an animal are a fine of £5,000 or six month's imprisonment, or both. The court may, in addition to any other punishment on conviction, deprive a person of ownership of an animal, and may order the disposal of that animal as it thinks fit, if it is satisfied that to leave the animal with the owner would expose it to further cruelty. The court may also disqualify the person convicted from having custody of any animal for such a period as it thinks fit. This could mean a lifetime ban from keeping animals.
Further information on the Act can be found on the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/index.htm Particularly don't like the comment that the court 'may order the
disposal of that animal is it thinks fit ...
