...just lock them up

THUGS who torture animals such as Scamp the terrier, found buried in woods alive with a nail in its head, should be jailed for up to five years according to a North MP.

And Ministers are to consider a change in the law.

Redcar MP Anna Turley demanded a major increase in the maximum sentence for animal cruelty - currently just six months - as she told the Commons about a series of horrific cases in the Tees Valley area.

MPs were shocked as she told them about Scamp, who was found buried alive at Kirkleatham Woods in Redcar with a nail hammered into his skull.

Richard Finch, 60, of Geneva Drive, Redcar, and Michael Heathcock, 59, Ontario Crescent, Redcar, admitted charges relating to the dog’s death, and were each jailed for four months.

But Ms Turley said: “They will probably serve just eight weeks in prison, which is not enough time for reflection, punishment or rehabilitation.”

And Scamp was only one of the animals to suffer, she said.

The MP also told about Baby the bulldog, who was thrown down stairs, stamped on and headbutted.

Baby had to be put down after losing the use of her back legs.

Andrew Frankish, aged 22 at the time, and Daniel Frankish, 19, both of Southampton Street, Redcar, were convicted in April 2016 of causing unnecessary suf- Anna Turley, and above, Finch and Heathcock fering - but escaped jail when they were given suspended sentences.

Ms Turley told MPs: “Baby was tortured and beaten by those who were supposed to care for her.

“The whole horrible ordeal seemed to be for the brothers’ entertainment - for fun - as they filmed themselves laughing on a mobile phone.

“Baby should not have had to suffer such horrific abuse, but she did and was put down shortly afterwards.”

But she said: “The two brothers received a suspended sentence, six months’ tagged curfew and £300 in costs. No one can feel that the justice system did its job that day.”

Ms Turley said she was “astonished” to learn that the maximum sentence for animal abuse is just six months’ custody.

And she spoke about the impact the incidents had on the local community.

“The people of my constituen- cy have been horrified by those cases, and it is important that I pay tribute to their response. After hearing of the Frankish brothers incident and that of Scamp, they held vigils for the animals, with hundreds of people coming to lay flowers and light candles.

“They sent their message loudly and defiantly. There are also plans to build a dog park to the animals’ memory.”

Ms Turley has proposed her own legislation to increase the maximum penalty from six months to five years. However, in practice the sentence will only increase if the Government agrees that a change to the law is needed.

She said: “My Bill sought to increase the custodial sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years, and if we are to continue declaring ourselves a nation of animal lovers, it is about time we showed it by sending out the message that we take animal cruelty seriously.”

Conservative MP Theresa Villiers told MPs: “I have found it distressing to listen to the brutal examples of animal cruelty we have heard about, particularly those detailed in the speech by the Member for Redcar.”

Environment Minister George Eustice, responding for the Government, said he would pass on Ms Turley’s comments to the Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for sentencing.

He said: “I will ensure that honourable Members’ representations for a change in the legislation to allow for higher maximum penalties are relayed to colleagues in Government.”