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Cruelty campaign calls for tougher prison sentences
Currently, the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty in England and Wales is just six months in prison.
Current term for animal cruelty is just six months

Members of the public are being urged to contact their MP and call for tougher sentences for those who seriously abuse or neglect animals.

Currently, the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty in England and Wales is just six months in prison. But Battersea Dogs and Cats Home are calling for this to be increased to five years.

To date, more than 10,500 people have pledged their support to the campaign, including more than 40 members of parliament.

“Battersea’s research into extreme animal cruelty tells us the sentences handed out are actually no punishment at all,” said Battersea’s chief executive, Claire Horton.  “We and many other rescue centres see shocking cases of cruelty and neglect come through our gates and there are many more that are dumped and don’t even make it off the streets.”
 
“We looked at 100 different jurisdictions across the world and England and Wales’ maximum six-month sentence is the lowest, lagging far behind countries like Ireland at five years and Germany at three years. It would be laughable if it weren’t so shocking.”

Last year, two brothers from Redcar admitted animal cruelty after they were filmed throwing their bulldog down a flight of stairs. The bulldog died from her injuries but the brothers walked free from court with a suspended sentence of 21 weeks.

In another case, a London man admitted torturing and killing nine puppies after local vets became suspicious and raised the alarm. Following an RSPCA investigation, he received the maximum sentence possible - just six months in prison.

Claire Horton continued: “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 truly fit the crime.”

For more information about the campaign and to lend your support, visit www.battersea.org.uk/notfunny.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.