Scotland 'lagging badly' on animal cruelty laws
Scotland is trailing the rest of the UK when it comes to the punishment of those convicted of animal cruelty, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
As it stands, people found guilty of harming animals like dogs and cats north of the border can only be given a six month sentence, or fined up to £5000.
However, in England the government is legislating for a maximum term of five years, and organisations such as the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have called for equivalent action from the Scottish Government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did indicate in last year’s Programme for Government that she intended to toughen the law.
However, no progress has been made on that front, and now the Scottish Conservatives have said they will bring forward legislation to get through Holyrood if SNP ministers do not.
As it stands, courts have the power to disqualify people from owning animals in future, as well as existing lenient punishments.
But the Scottish Conservatives want to not only strengthen legislation to increase punishment and deterrence, but improve education on animal cruelty for children and tackle illegal puppy farming.
Scottish Conservative animal welfare spokesman Finlay Carson said:
“Scotland is lagging badly when it comes to the protection of animals.
“The SNP has dragged its feet, and it means those convicted of cruelty against animals like cats and dogs are more or less getting off the hook – there’s very little to deter them at present.
“That’s why we need to at least match the five-year maximum term being legislated for in England, and go further when it comes to education and tackling problems like illegal puppy farming.
“Nicola Sturgeon indicated this is something she wanted to do in her Programme for Government.
“But we’re now many months on from that, and time is running out to get things going in parliament.
“If ministers don’t bring forward plans to address this, we will, and use the opposition majority in parliament to get it through.”