Animal cruelty charity calls for increase in maximum sentence

An animal charity has called on MSPs and the public to back a campaign to increase sentences for animal cruelty offences.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said the maximum 12-month prison sentence for the worst cases of animal cruelty is among the lowest in Europe.

England and Wales’ maximum sentence is six months.

The charity would like to see this increased to fives years, in line with Ireland and Northern Ireland.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay, Justice Committee deputy convener, (pictured) said: “We need to send out a strong message these vile crimes against defenceless animals are unacceptable and we need to put it into perspective of all types of violent crime.”

Battersea director Dee Mcintosh said: “We now need all of Scotland’s politicians to make this change.”

In one case a dog was tied to concrete and left to drown in a pond in Lanarkshire.

Ms Mackay said: “Nobody was convicted and even if they had been, is it right they would have received less time in prison for drowning that poor dog than for dumping commercial litter?”

Ms Mcintosh added: “Scotland has an impressive track record of changing its laws on key issues ahead of some other nations.”