Page 14 - Australian Pork Newspaper

Legislation to increase maximum sentence for animal abuse in UK
ENVIRONMENT sec- retary Michael Gove has announced a new bill to enable tougher prison sentences for the worst animal abusers was in- troduced to UK Parlia- ment on June 26.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill means animal abusers could face up to five years in prison.
A significant increase from the current maxi- mum sentence of six months.
This will make it one of the toughest sanctions in Europe, strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare.
The Bill follows a public consultation last year, in which more than 70 per- cent of people supported
the proposals for tougher prison sentences.
It means the courts will be able to take a tougher approach to cases such as gross neglect of farm animals, dog fighting or abuse of puppies and kit- tens.
Environment secre- tary Michael Gove said, “There is no place in this country for animal cru- elty.”
“That is why I want to make sure that those who abuse animals are met with the full force of the law.
“Our new Bill sends a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated, with the maxi- mum five-year sentence one of the toughest pun-
ishments in Europe.
“I am committed to making our country the best place in the world for the care and protection of
animals.”
The RSPCA received
1,175,193 calls to their 24-hour cruelty hotline in 2018, with a call every 27 seconds.
There have also been several cases in the past few years in which the courts said they would have handed down longer sentences had they been available.
Recent examples include a case when a man trained dogs to ruthlessly torture other animals, including trapping a fox and a terri- er dog in a cage to brutally attack each other.
Animal welfare minister David Rutley said, “These increased maximum sen- tences will act as a serious deterrent against cruelty and neglect in the future.”
“This step builds on re- cent positive action we have taken to protect ani- mals, including plans to ban third-party puppy and kitten sales and banning the use of wild animals in circuses.”
Claire Horton, chief ex- ecutive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, said, “The introduction of this bill is a landmark achievement, which will make a pro- found difference to dogs and cats in England and Wales.”
“We, and many other rescue centres, see shock- ing cases of cruelty and neglect come through our gates and there are many more animals that are dumped and don’t even make it off the streets.
“Research shows that tougher prison sentenc- es act as a deterrent to would-be criminals, so today’s announcement should prevent the suffer- ing of many animals in the future.”
This announcement complements Finn’s Law, which came into effect earlier in June 2019 and provides increased protec- tion for service dogs and horses.
It was named after a German shepherd called Finn, a police dog stabbed in the head and chest in 2016 while trying to catch a man suspected of rob- bing a taxi driver at gun- point.
If passed into law, to- day’s Bill means someone who attacks a police dog could face a sentence of five years in prison.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill will be introduced into the House of Commons before mov- ing through to the House of Lords.
If passed, it will come into effect in two months after it receives Royal As- sent.
Live yeast for sows and piglets
Microscopic yeast,
LEVUCELL SB has been proven in multiple studies to reinforce piglets’ intestinal barrier and digestive functions. Piglets supplemented with LEVUCELL SB are able to better respond to the stressors of the critical weaning period, therefore, ensuring positive performance and avoiding digestive upsets. LEVUCELL SB is a supportive nutritional tool in the global context of reducing the use of antibiotics.
LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION SPECIFIC FOR YOUR SUCCESS
T: (07) 5451 0125 | E: LAN-Aus@lallemand.com www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com
Page 14 – Australian Pork Newspaper, July 2019
www.porknews.com.au