Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
I understand that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill is currently progressing through Parliament and I am delighted that the UK Government is supporting this Bill. The new Bill will enable tougher prison sentences for the most serious perpetrators of animal cruelty, from the current maximum of six months to up to five years. This would be one of the toughest sanctions for animal abuse in Europe, strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare.
Animal welfare is a devolved issue for the Scottish Government, and while I am pleased that the UK Government has made such progress, I know that my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament have had to work hard to bring about change. After my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament warned that they would use the opposition majority to change legislation, the Scottish Government announced a consultation on animal welfare and subsequently introduced the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill. I welcome the fact that this bill included the maximum five-year sentence that we called for and that it has now been unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament.
My MSP colleagues have worked tirelessly to promote animal welfare issues such as: better protection for police dogs and other service animals, known as Finn's Law; the improvement of pet shops licencing; and the compulsory use of CCTV in abattoirs. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has agreed to implement these proposals.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Kind regards, Alister