There are plans to increase penalties for the worst acts of animal cruelty. Draft legislation will soon be published for consultation to increase the maximum sentence tenfold, from six months to five years.
These measures will make sure that animal cruelty is treated with the seriousness it deserves and ensure that England is a world leader in animal welfare. This will put us in line with countries like Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.
In 2012 the previous cap in the fine charges was removed, and as part of new proposals, courts will retain the ability to hand out unlimited fines and ban offenders from owning animals in the future.