At Slater Heelis, we like to keep our audience informed about the constantly evolving landscape of the legal arena. In this blog, we focus on updated sentencing guidelines in regard to animal cruelty.
This is a significant development which promises a sterner approach towards ensuring the well-being of animals.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, the catalyst for this guideline, increased the maximum penalty for offences from six months to five years of custody. These offences include unnecessary suffering, tail docking, and animal fighting, which are still prevalent today.
Alongside this, a second guideline, ‘Failure to ensure animal welfare’, has been published. This guideline revises elements of the Council’s existing animal cruelty sentencing guideline. New factors such as a significant number of animals harmed, the offender having professional responsibility for the animals, and the offence being motivated by financial gain are now considered under this revised guideline. The aim is to ensure that sentences are proportionate and reflect the severity of the offence, the damage caused, and the offender’s responsibility.
Under these updated guidelines, sentences for the most severe offences are expected to increase, especially for sadistic or extreme cases or those involving prolonged incidents of serious cruelty. Where an offender’s actions have resulted in an animal’s death or life-threatening injuries or have caused substantial pain or suffering, this may also attract a higher sentence than previously.
At Slater Heelis, we stand firmly in the belief that everyone is entitled to a fair trial and robust defence, regardless of the accusations levelled against them. We understand that allegations are not convictions, and there may be situations where individuals are wrongly accused. Our team of dedicated solicitors are committed to protecting the rights of any facing such predicaments, providing comprehensive support and expert legal representation.
If you’d like to speak to a member of the team, you can contact us on 0330 111 3131 or by using our contact form.