New legislation has recently seen the maximum sentence for animal cruelty rise from six months to five years.
The proposed law went before parliament on June 26th, 2019, and has seen an important increase from the previous maximum sentence of six months.
This idea was brought forward following a public consultation in 2018 when over 70 percent of the public called for tougher prison sentences for people found abusing animals.
The courts will be able to take firmer action in extreme cases of abuse and neglect. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "There is no place in this country for animal cruelty. Our new Bill sends a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated, with the maximum five-year sentence one of the toughest punishments in Europe."
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