Animal cruelty is an ongoing issue worldwide, and unless it is taken more seriously by strict enforcement of the law, the problem will never stop. People have to be a voice for animals who cannot defend themselves. Such is the case in England And Wales of the UK. Current punishment for animal cruelty is a six-month prison sentence, but activists are rallying for much stricter accountability.
The goal of campaigners in Welsh countries of the UK
Campaigners and animal activists throughout England and Wales are appalled by the current prison sentence for what is considered the worst cases of animal cruelty.
They state that six months is laughable and shocking. They want to see these sentences increased tenfold to at least five years for such crimes against animals. When the Animal Welfare Act was implemented in 2006, it was thought to be a powerful tool in protecting animals, but the provisions of the Act seemed to be overtaken by progressive legislation in the USA and Europe.
Efforts of the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (BDCH)
The BDCH is an organization that is adamant about more severe punishments for abusers of animals. The CEO of the group, Ms. Claire Horton states to reporters that "It isn't acceptable that our courts are unable to hand out tougher sentences in such extreme animal cruelty cases, yet the likes of fly-tipping can result in prison sentences of up to five years.
So let's get this into proportion and let the punishment for abusing animals indeed fit the crime." Although this is a worldwide issue, it appears that England and Wales lag far behind other western nations in disciplining animal abusers. The current punishment is comparable to Belgium, Macedonia and the USA states of Mississippi and Idaho.
The Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs shows statistics for those sentenced for animal cruelty in recent years and of those offenses, a minute number of those abusers received a mere 3.3. Months of prison time. Others received community service. The RSPCA took a poll that demonstrated full support from the public for stronger sentences for animal abusers.
The belief by all campaigners and the BDCH is that the new guidelines for stricter sentencing is a step in the right direction, yet there is hope in reviewing the sentencing under the AWA to ensure stronger sentences for abusers of the worst animal offenses.