Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill

Steve O'Connell AM moved, and Leonie Cooper AM seconded, the following motion which was agreed unanimously:

This Assembly notes the campaign of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for tougher sentences for animal cruelty, which has received significant support. This Assembly, therefore, welcomes that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was reintroduced in the Queen’s Speech and will be carried into the new Parliamentary session.

With the current maximum sentence for animal cruelty standing at just six months imprisonment, which is the lowest custodial sentence for animal cruelty across the whole of Europe, this Assembly urges the Government to put forward the Bill again as soon as possible.