Blue Cross welcomes five-year sentencing for animal cruelty

Blue Cross is delighted that a new bill to make punishments for animal abuse much stronger will be taken to parliament today.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, when enacted, will increase the maximum prison sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years.

Steve Goody, Blue Cross Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, said: “At Blue Cross we know all too well how vulnerable dogs, cats, horses and small pets are to cruelty. Our staff have nursed pets who should have been loved but instead have been deliberately burned, tied up in rubbish bags and left to die, thrown out of moving cars, beaten and starved. 

“Currently the punishment does not fit the crime, so we welcome today’s news that the government is acting on its promise to increase maximum prison sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years. We believe strong prison sentences will act as a deterrent and make some people think twice before abusing animals.”

Cat Duffy, pictured, came into Blue Cross care after she had been left in a great deal of pain when someone held a cigarette lighter to her face, burning the flesh on her nose and singeing her whiskers. The cruel and deliberate act left poor Duffy struggling to breathe. After getting the sweet cat the care she needed, we found her a loving home. We hope that strong punishments will mean pets like Duffy no longer have to suffer.