AN MP is demanding tougher punishments for people convicted of animal cruelty.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said crimes against animals must be taken seriously and not dismissed as a more minor crime than those involving people.
He said: “We cannot stand by and let animals suffer and let those that abuse them get away with it. I am sure people will be greatly reassured that government is taking animal welfare seriously, but we need to go further and commit to increase the penalties for people convicted of animal cruelty.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the UK had some of the highest welfare standards in the world, and it plans reforms to a host of animal welfare measures including pet sales and licensing, live exports and slaughter.
Mr Gove added: “I will not automatically reach for stronger criminal sanctions as the only route to dealing with a problem but there are particular cases of animal cruelty where we may well need to revisit the existing criminal sanctions in order to ensure the very worst behaviour is dealt with, with the full force of the law.”