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ARTICLE · 11 OCTOBER 2018

Maximum Sentence For Animal Welfare Offences To Increase Significantly

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DEFRA has announced that the maximum sentencing powers available to Courts when sentencing those convicted of animal welfare offences are going to increase significantly.

United KingdomEnvironment
Tim Hayden
Tim Hayden
Jodie Coles
Jodie Coles
Daniel Gill
Daniel Gill

DEFRA announces increase in maximum sentence for animal welfare offences

DEFRA has announced that the maximum sentencing powers available to Courts when sentencing those convicted of animal welfare offences are going to increase significantly.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 as it currently stands animal welfare cases can only be tried by a Magistrates Court and the maximum sentence which the Magistrates can impose is a prison term of up to six months and/or an unlimited fine. In addition, the Magistrates can disqualify the person who has been convicted from keeping animals for such a period as it thinks fit.

However, following a public consultation, DEFRA has decided to increase the maximum sentence to up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The court's power to order disqualification from keeping animals will remain unchanged. As a result of these changes, the most serious animal welfare cases will be tried in the Crown Court.

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