Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, is delighted that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill has completed all its stages in the Houses of Parliament and has now received Royal Assent meaning animal abusers convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 could face up to five years in prison.

Throughout his Parliamentary career, Sir David has been very outspoken on the topic of animal welfare and has consistently urged the Government to make improvements to animal rights.

The Bill began its journey to Royal Assent on February the 5th 2020 when it received its First Reading in the House of Commons. The Private Members’ Bill makes provision for the maximum penalty for certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to be increased from six months to up to five years.

As a Patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, Sir David commented:

“This Bill is vitally important and necessary to tackle animal cruelty and to ensure that people who harm animals are properly punished. The Bill realises the manifesto commitment from the Government on introducing tougher sentences for animal cruelty and increases the maximum sentence for those convicted of the worst animal cruelty offences in England and Wales from six months to five years.”